Top Apex Legends esports team shuts down despite top 10 finish in 2023

Iron Blood Gaming has announced it’s closing its doors after placing in the top 10 at the ALGS Championship in 2023.

Iron Blood Gaming was an esports organization started in 2021 that competed in Apex Legends and Call of Duty esports. It entered Apex Legends in 2022 by signing a free-agent squad from Australia.

While the organization was based in North America, its Apex Legends squads were always based in Southeast Asia. Its Apex team vaulted into the world stage in 2022 by qualifying for the 2023 Split 1 Playoffs thanks to a first-place finish in the APAC South Pro League.

The team cemented its spot at the top of the esport in 2023 by placing 10th at the 2023 ALGS Championship. The organization was also a powerhouse in Call of Duty, winning the Challengers Finals in 2022 and multiple other tournaments at the tier-2 level. Now, the organization has announced the release of its players and that it’s closing its doors effective immediately.

Iron Blood Gaming closes up shop

The organization revealed that it was shutting down on February 14, 2024, in a post on social media saying that it was a hard decision that has been considered since last year.

“IBG has officially ended operations. And again any steps for rectifying anything are being taken. Thank you,” the statement said.

The announcement does not come without controversy, however, as the organization allegedly owes multiple former players and a coach money from their time in Call of Duty.

“Blows my mind to know this org is still up and running, knowing they owe multiple players and coach (to my knowledge, might be more) at the (very) least $10k. From what I hear, it’s much more than that but I’ll be generous. Myself, am owed at least 6k btw,” retired pro Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson said on social media.

The organization’s closing statement seemingly addressed these accusations saying that it will be “rectifying any mistakes that have been made.”