Nakamura Signs For Esports World Champion Team Falcons, Nepo Joins Aurora

Team Falcons, the winner of the 2024 Esports World Cup, has announced the signing of none other than world number-two GM Hikaru Nakamura. Meanwhile, Serbian esports organization Aurora Gaming also picked up the World Blitz Champion GM Ian Nepomniachtchi on Tuesday.

Esports organizations around the world continue to make big moves by signing the world's top chess players. On Monday, the Saudi Arabian powerhouse Team Falcons unveiled their expansion into chess in a stylish video.

"The next big move in chess and esports is here! Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has officially joined Team Falcons, bringing his world-class skill, speed, and strategy to our team," they wrote in a post on X/Twitter.

The next move is clear—@GMHikaru joins Team Falcons. 🦅♟

Welcome to the nest! pic.twitter.com/y5VcrOiRzY

— Falcons Esports (@FalconsEsport) February 17, 2025

Nakamura, the current world number two behind GM Magnus Carlsen and one of the most popular players and streamers in the world, is competing in the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT) to secure his place in the EWC. The top 12 players from the CCT will qualify directly, while the remaining four spots will be determined via a Last Chance Qualifier. 

Founded in 2017, Team Falcons initially focused on competing in FIFA, Call of Duty, and Fortnite. Over the years, the organization expanded into multiple esports disciplines, including Dota 2 and Counter-Strike. Team Falcons has since grown into one of the world’s leading esports organizations, known for building "superteams" by signing high-profile players and coaches across various games.

لايك لو تبون نسوي بث مباراة شطرنج بين للي ولاعبنا الجديد!! 😂@LLE_97 @GMHikaru https://t.co/F84MuURacO pic.twitter.com/QQfOLGn0tb

— Team Falcons (@TeamFalconsGG) February 17, 2025

In the 2024 Esports World Cup, they competed in 18 out of the 22 esports and eventually picked up the $7 million first prize for winning the Club Championship

Nakamura is one of the few grandmasters who previously has been associated with an esports team. In 2020, he joined TSM on a six-figure deal, according to Esports Insider. However, the collaboration ended in 2022, when he signed for Misfits Gaming, receiving financial support and resources for content creation.

"I am pretty excited," Nakamura said during the announcement on his stream. "It's great to see chess as an esport. Chess is part of a bigger project. It's something very motivating, and I very much look forward to it."

On Tuesday, Serbian esports organization Aurora Gaming also announced the signing of Blitz World Champion Nepomniachtchi.

"After appearing at the EWC, chess may become a real esports discipline. I hope that the new entertaining format will help attract a new audience," Nepomniachtchi said about becoming a chess esports athlete.

In addition to being one of the world's best chess players, Nepomniachtchi has also been an avid gamer, competing in Dota 2. "I've been into computer games for a long time and actively follow esports, so I'm pleased to join the Aurora Gaming squad: it's a well-known and ambitious project," the 34-year-old said.

We're happy to announce that a famous Dota streamer, Grandmaster and the World Champion Ian Nepomniachtchi is joining Aurora family and will represent our colors at the CCT and EWC.

Welcome home, Nepo 💙 pic.twitter.com/DVe13mjJwz

— Aurora CS2 (@AuroraCS2_GG) February 18, 2025

A total of 12 players have been signed by esports organizations in the last weeks. They are unlikely to be the last.

Previous coverage:

• Abdusattorov, So, Bortnyk Join Ukrainian Esports Team; Wei Yi Signs For Weibo
• Magnus Carlsen And Fabiano Caruana Sign With Esports Giant Team Liquid
• Ding Liren Signs With Chinese Esports Team, Reveals Return To Chess
• Vachier-Lagrave Signs With Team Vitality Ahead Of Esports World Cup
• Arjun, Murzin Become First Chess Stars Signed Ahead Of Esports World Cup