The ESL Impact Season 7 is set to kick off on February 26th, but the landscape of women’s esports has shifted significantly since last season. While familiar powerhouses like Imperial Valkyries and FURIA fe will be returning, they represent a shrinking pool of fully supported teams. A number of prominent organizations have pulled the plug on their women’s divisions, leaving a void in the scene.
Several teams, including Spirit fe, ENCE Athena, Astralis W, TSM Impact, VP.Angels, and notably, NAVI Javelins, are absent this season, having released their rosters. NAVI Javelins, who were celebrated as the second-best Women’s Team of the Year at the HLTV Awards, cited an “unsustainable business model” as the reason for their departure, highlighting the financial challenges facing women’s esports.
The absence of HSG fe further underscores these difficulties. ESL’s decision to eliminate the Asia-Pacific division has left them without a competitive avenue. Despite qualifying for the European portion of Season 6, HSG fe, led by Olga “Olga” Rodrigues, did not participate in the Season 7 qualifiers and hasn’t competed in any FACEIT-organized tournaments since October.
This contraction in team support has, however, sparked a flurry of roster changes and the formation of new squads. The disbanded NAVI Javelins roster has fragmented into four separate entities. Mayline-Joy “ASTRA” Champliaud is leading an all-French team, Prototype Blaze. And finally, the rifler, Hania “Hanka” Pudlis, has found a home with BIG EQUIPA.
Elsewhere, in Brazil, the core of Fluxo Demons has transitioned to MIBR fe, aiming to capitalize on their promising 2024 performance and make a stronger push in 2025. North America has also seen movement, with FlyQuest RED adding Marie “marie” Ellen Toft Sørensen from Astralis W and bringing on board veteran in-game leader Alan “Shakezullah” Hardeman as their new coach.
The three regional seasons will run from February 26th to April 13th, culminating in LAN finals held in conjunction with IEM Dallas from May 23rd to 25th, where eight qualifying teams will battle for the championship title.