Team Heretics

Origins and Growth

Team Heretics was established in Madrid on 24 August 2016 by Antonio Catena, Arnau Vidal, and Jorge Goorgo Orejudo. The founders aimed to build an organization focused on competitive gaming and digital entertainment. From its inception, the club cultivated a strong connection with the Spanish-speaking community, which became the foundation for its expansive fanbase.

Over its first several years, Team Heretics expanded its competitive footprint beyond Spain. It entered multiple international esports scenes, fielding professional teams across a diverse portfolio of games. This strategic growth transformed it from a regional project into a globally recognized brand in the esports industry.

Entry into the League of Legends European Championship

A major milestone in the organization's history came in July 2022. Team Heretics acquired a franchise slot in the League of Legends European Championship, the premier European league for the game. This move saw the team replace Misfits Gaming in the LEC.

Securing a permanent place in the LEC represented Team Heretics's arrival into the top tier of European esports. It provided a stable, high-profile platform for competition and significantly increased the organization's stature within the industry.

Valorant Success and Major Title

Team Heretics has achieved notable success in Valorant. The organization's roster won the Valorant First Strike Europe tournament and later secured the VCT EMEA Stage 1 championship in Berlin.

The top of its Valorant achievements came in 2025. The team won its first major international title by claiming the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a dramatic grand final, Team Heretics defeated the leading European team Fnatic 3–2, completing a reverse sweep to secure the championship.

Strategic Partnerships and Business Expansion

Beyond competitive results, Team Heretics has pursued growth through high-profile commercial partnerships. In 2023, the organization announced a collaboration with the energy drink brand Red Bull. This partnership included joint marketing activations, co-branded apparel, and shared social media content.

Further expanding its strategic network, in 2025 Team Heretics revealed a partnership with CGN Esports focused on Valorant. This collaboration aimed to increase the organization's presence in the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The deal involved shared training programs and offline events held in both Spain and Germany.

Brand and Community

Team Heretics has built a powerful brand identity as the most followed Spanish-speaking esports and entertainment team in the world. Its official merchandise store and active social media presence engage a massive global audience. The organization frequently creates content featuring its players and content creators, fostering a strong community connection.

The club's activities extend beyond traditional esports matches. It hosts live events and fan meetups in Madrid and produces a wide variety of entertainment content, including challenge videos and behind-the-scenes communications from tournaments. This approach confirms its position as both a competitive force and an entertainment brand.

Multi-Game Portfolio

Team Heretics maintains a broad competitive roster across several major titles. In addition to its LEC team and successful Valorant squad, the organization fields professional teams in Brawl Stars, Call of Duty, Warzone, and Rainbow Six Siege. It has also announced involvement in newer titles like Marvel Rivals and Esports Virtual Arenas.

The organization also operates a franchise in the Call of Duty League called the Miami Heretics. This demonstrates its commitment to building lasting presences in franchised leagues, mirroring its strategy in the LEC. This diverse portfolio allows Team Heretics to engage with different fan communities and mitigate competitive risks.