Leveling Up Global Talent: How GoGlobal Helped Fnatic Stay Ahead in the Esports Industry

an eSports player playing in front of a computer with three people around her

Fnatic is a global esports performance brand on a mission to level up every gamer. Founded in 2004, Fnatic has built one of the most successful legacies in competitive gaming, winning more tier 1 tournaments than any other team worldwide. Blending sport and technology, Fnatic competes at the highest levels across titles like League of Legends, VALORANT and Counter-Strike. The company also partners with brands like INZONE, Red Bull and Blacklyte to engage a global, connected generation of gamers.

Industry: Esports

Year Founded: 2004

Headquarters: United Kingdom

Operating In: United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Serbia

GoGlobal Support: Slovenia, Spain

Employees: ~150

The Challenge: Hire Fast, Stay Compliant, Win Big

Esports doesn’t sleep—and neither does Fnatic’s need for top-tier talent. With operations in the UK, Germany, Japan and Serbia, the team taps into global talent to compete, innovate and shape the future of gaming. But finding the right people sometimes means looking beyond borders, including markets where Fnatic may not have a business entity.

“As a global organization in a fast-paced industry like esports, we frequently need to onboard top talent from around the world quickly and compliantly,” said Maryia Viarkhusha, People Operations Manager at Fnatic. “Establishing a legal entity for a single hire was not operationally or financially viable, so that’s when we began looking for a global employment partner.”

They considered short-term contracts and contractor agreements, but the compliance risks were too high. Other global employment providers lacked local expertise or couldn’t cover the markets Fnatic had in their sights. They needed a partner that could keep pace with their velocity—and deliver with precision.

The Solution: GoGlobal’s EOR + Payroll Services

Fnatic turned to GoGlobal for a seamless Employer of Record (EOR) solution and global payroll support. The result? Fully compliant employment in target countries like Slovenia and Spain—saving the time and money required to set up a local entity.

GoGlobal’s team got to work immediately, laying out the path forward and guiding Fnatic through each step: contract drafting, payroll setup, onboarding and local compliance.

“The onboarding was straight-forward and well-supported from the outset,” says Maryia. “GoGlobal guided us through every step, stayed responsive to our timelines and ensured full compliance with local labor laws.”

The Impact: Talent Secured, Time Saved, Growth Unlocked

With GoGlobal’s support, Fnatic was able to retain high-performing talent exactly where they wanted to live and work—without delay or legal uncertainty.
More than just time and cost savings, GoGlobal helped Fnatic expand their global footprint while staying laser-focused on performance.

“GoGlobal helped us retain a high-caliber employee who wanted to work from a country we didn’t have an entity in—without delay or legal uncertainty,” Maryia explains. “The time and cost savings from not having to set up a legal entity or engage legal consultants were significant. More importantly, we were able to expand our global presence and deliver on our operational goals with confidence.”

That confidence wasn’t just about the present—it’s fueling Fnatic’s future growth too.

“As Fnatic continues to scale globally, we expect to engage top talent in new and sometimes complex markets. GoGlobal’s presence in multiple regions and deep compliance expertise positions them as a key strategic partner in our global expansion toolkit. The esports industry evolves rapidly, and it’s a game-changer to work with a partner that not only keeps up but drives results at our pace.”—Maryia Viarkhusha, People Operations Manager | FNATIC

A Reliable Teammate Behind the Scenes

From the first call to final payroll setup, GoGlobal adapted to Fnatic’s needs at every stage—just like a trusted support role in a high-stakes match.

“Fnatic moves fast and we made sure our support kept up. From compliance clarity to quick onboarding, we worked hand-in-hand to make sure everything just worked,” says Leah Thomas, Senior Manager, Account Management (EMEA) at GoGlobal. “It’s a true team effort—and we’re excited to help them grow.”

Game On. World Ready.

No matter where the search for top talent takes them, Fnatic can now confidently hire in new markets without missing a beat. With GoGlobal’s EOR and payroll support, they’re free to do what they do best: focus on the game—and stay one step ahead.

“In a fast-paced, high-stakes industry like esports, every second counts—and so does every hire. With Fnatic, we’ve built a collaborative partnership that helps them scale quickly, remain compliant and stay focused on performance. From contracts to payroll, we’re proud to be part of what powers their next move.”—Leah Thomas, Senior Manager, Account Management (EMEA) | GoGlobal

Ready to expand globally? Let’s talk about how GoGlobal can help you scale with ease and impact.

The content provided in this publication is for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Due to potential changes in regulations, the information may become outdated. GoGlobal and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for actions taken or not taken based on the information contained in this publication.

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