Pittsburgh Knights, Knights Arena to Close by Year’s End

Pittsburgh Knights, Knights Arena to close by end of 2024.

Esports Organization Pittsburgh Knights has laid off an undetermined amount of employees this week, according to sources who spoke to The Esports Advocate on background. While TEA could not independently confirm the exact number of affected employees, sources tell us that this week’s layoffs were “considerable,” and that only essential staff members remain.

Those that have stayed on with the company have been told that they will be laid off after Dec. 1, our sources say, coinciding with the conclusion of Valorant Challengers League 2024 North America: Stage 3, which runs from Nov. 5 – Dec 1.

In a statement emailed to TEA on Friday evening, Knights management confirmed that the organization would officially announce in the coming days that it will be shutting down by the end of the year.

“In the coming days, we will be announcing the wind down of the Knights and Knights Arena. After seven years as a brand in the esports space, we will officially cease operations by the end of the year.

“Since the decision to shut down was finalized, staff have been given notice ranging from 14 to 60 days. Existing partner contracts for events and promotions will continue to be fulfilled as the company winds down over the coming months.”

Knights Founder and President James O’Connor also told TEA on Friday:

“We have an outstanding team of people who have made the past seven years of the Knights possible. At this time we’re trying to support everyone involved with a smooth transition. We’ll have more to share on the matter next week.” 

In addition, a Riot Games representative confirmed that it is already looking for a new partner to handle Challengers in North America for 2025:

“We have started the RFP [Request for Proposals] process for NA Challengers 2025 and have several parties who have already expressed an interest.”

Knights Arena—the events arm of the Pittsburgh Knights—officially partnered with Riot in November 2022, and was named the official tournament organizer for both the NA VCT Challengers and NA VCT Game Changers 2023 tournaments. That relationship proved to be favorable to all parties and was continued into 2024.

On Wednesday, the social media account for Knights Arena announced that registration was officially open for Challengers League 2024 North America: Stage 3, with Open Qualifiers kicking off in early November. More details on Stage 3 can be found here.