London-based Noctem Esports ceases all operations

5 March 2025

Usually, there is plenty of good news coming out of the world of esports in the UK, but on Monday, March 3rd, there was some sad news as well. At least, sad for the members, fans and followers of Noctem Esports, as the London-based esports organisation announced they are closing down. After a couple of years full of action and good performances, in various games including Apex Legends and Call of Duty, Noctem has decided to call it quits. By closing, they are following the path of Into The Breach, another UK esports organisation that closed about a month ago.

Lack of sponsoring as possible reason

Even though Noctem Esports has not communicated the exact reasons behind their decision to cease all operations, but a lack of sponsoring might be one of them. That’s because about a month earlier, the organisation said that the last sponsor opportunity for the Apex Legends Championship had fallen through. Soon after that, Jack Stovell, former professional FIFA player and founder of Noctem Esports, confirmed the news and added that it wasn’t easy to run a sustainable operation in the world of esports. Though it has not yet been confirmed, this might well have to do with Noctem’s recent decision to close doors.

“A sad day today, as we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to cease Noctem’s operations with immediate effect”, Noctem Esports wrote on their own X account, “For two years, we gave everything to build something special, and to take the brand to where we needed and wanted it to be. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make that happen. But what a ride it’s been. 4 World Finals appearances. 4 Esports. Millions of views. An incredible and dedicated content team. Thank you to every player, creator, staff member and fan who supported us along the way. None of this would have been possible without you. It’s been a hell of a journey, and maybe one day, we’ll be back. Thank you.”

Passion project

With the immediate closure of Noctem Esports, the United Kingdom is not only losing a well-known name from the world of esports, but also a real passion project. Noctem Esports was founded in the summer of 2023 by the formerly mentioned Jack Stovell, who used to play FIFA professionally for New Jersey-based organisation Dignitas. He set up his own organisation with the goal of creating a real brand for esports in the UK and to help improve the overall level of esports in the region. As a matter of fact, Stovell believed in his dream and his passion for esports so strongly that he poured all of his life savings into Noctem Esports, according to himself.

“I’ll happily invest my life savings into pushing Noctem as far as I can”, Stovell said in an interview back in 2023, “I believe we’re on the path to pushing boundaries in esports and content. And if it all goes wrong, and we run out of cash and can’t deliver on what I think we can, at least we helped people chase their dreams.”