GiantX

The Merger and Formation

GiantX was officially created on 14 December 2023 through the merger of two established European esports entities, Excel Esports and Giants Gaming. The new organisation combined the assets and competitive positions of both founding clubs, with Excel CEO Tim Reichert and Giants CEO José Ramón Díaz becoming co-CEOs of the joint venture. The merger was structured to retain all talent, rosters, and content creators from both predecessor organisations.

It also maintained the commercial partners of both teams and kept regional headquarters in London, United Kingdom, and Málaga, Spain, reflecting its Anglo-Spanish roots. The controlling shareholder became JRJ Group, which had held a majority stake in Excel Esports since 2018 along with Toms Capital. All employees from both organisations were retained in the merger.

Competitive Structure and Divisions

GiantX competes at the highest levels across several major esports titles. Its flagship division is in League of Legends, where it holds a spot in the premier League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the top level of professional League of Legends in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The organisation also fields an academy team that competes in the Liga Española de League of Legends (LES), the top level in Spain.

In Valorant, GiantX is a partner team for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA League, a status inherited from Giants Gaming. It also fields a team in the Valorant Game Changers circuit. Beyond these, the organisation has active rosters for Pokémon Champions, where two players compete in VGC tournaments, and for Esports Virtual Arenas (EVA). The competitive performance center for all teams is located in Berlin, Germany.

Post-Merger Developments and Acquisitions

Following its establishment, GiantX has pursued strategic growth initiatives beyond its core competitive teams. In July 2024, the organisation made a significant move into technology by acquiring the AI start-up iTero Gaming in a multi-million dollar deal. This acquisition signaled an ambition to integrate advanced artificial intelligence and technology into its gaming and operational infrastructure.

Further expanding its brand presence and commercial partnerships, GiantX announced a collaboration with Samsung in October 2024. The partnership focused on creating an in-person activation for the EGX Comic Con 2024 event, demonstrating the organisation's commitment to fan engagement and experiential marketing outside of traditional broadcast competitions.

Brand Identity, Legacy and Commerce

The GiantX brand positions itself as an organisation with deep roots, referencing over 17 years at the top of esports, a timeline that encompasses the histories of both Excel and Giants. Its public motto is Creating legends since 2008, and it uses the hashtag #WeAreGIANTX across its social media presence, which includes dedicated accounts for its League of Legends and Valorant divisions.

The organisation markets itself as a founding member of Riot Games' most impactful international competitions, specifically the LEC and the VCT. It has developed a full commercial ecosystem including an online store selling team merchandise like apparel and in-game cosmetic items. The store offers exclusive items such as a GiantX Valorant player card and promotes the idea of fans decorating their in-game maps with the team logo, with perks like a discount on a first purchase.

Historical Context of Predecessors

Prior to the merger, each founding organisation brought distinct competitive strengths to the table. Excel Esports was primarily known for its League of Legends roster competing in the LEC. Giants Gaming, founded in 2008 and based in Spain, was a partner team for the VCT EMEA in Valorant and also had a history in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The merger effectively combined Excel's strong League of Legends pedigree with Giants' established position in the Valorant ecosystem.

The new entity, while named GiantX, operates as a merger of equals in structure, maintaining dual headquarters and leadership. It inherited the competitive slots and partner statuses from both parents, allowing it to immediately compete at the top level in multiple major esports landscapes without a qualification process.

Viewership, Community and Operations

GiantX has built a notable presence in the esports viewership landscape. The organisation's all-time peak viewership record stands at 666,606 concurrent viewers, achieved during the VALORANT Champions 2025 tournament. This figure highlights the team's draw in one of the world's most popular competitive titles and underscores the merged organisation's immediate impact.

The organisation maintains an active community presence across social media platforms and operates a Discord server to foster direct engagement with its fanbase. It also retains a broad operational team that includes roles such as team managers and content creators like streamers, ensuring both competitive and content arms of the business continue to function from its established bases in the UK, Spain, and Germany.