The MongolZ boasts a storied and dynamic history. Established over a decade ago, the organization has experienced numerous roster changes and even faced dissolution at one point. However, in 2023, The MongolZ made a triumphant return, fueled by a robust partnership with 1xBet and the emergence of a new generation of talented Mongolian players.
Just one year later, the squad soared to the top, earning over $1,000,000 in prize money, reaching third place in the Valve global ranking, and making it to the playoffs of the prestigious Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024!
2013-2015: the beginning of the journey
The organization was founded on August 20, 2013, and the name The MongolZ reflected the founders’ desire to represent their country on the international stage. First, they formed a Dota 2 team, and two years later, they created a squad for online shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
The team’s first CS:GO tournament failed—it lost both matches in the qualifier for the ESL One: Cologne 2015 Major. The MongolZ learned from their mistakes and by the end of 2015, they started achieving positive results. They earned silver at the MixBOT Pro-League Invite Season 1 and the D!ngIT CS:GO Asia Invitational Season 1, and won gold at the D!ngIT CS:GO Asia Invitational Season 2.
2016-2022: victory at IEM Season X Taipei, rises and falls
The real breakthrough for The MongolZ came the following year. At the East Asian Qualifier for IEM Season X Taipei, the team arrived as underdogs but ended up winning every map, taking first place, and earning a record $30,000 in prize money.
A strong performance at the tournament earned The MongolZ an invitation to the larger IEM Season X World Championship in Katowice, Poland. However, the level of European squads proved too much for The MongolZ—the team lost all 5 of their group-stage games. The most notable defeats came from Fnatic (4-16) and Ninjas in Pyjamas (5-16). At that time, no one could have predicted that The MongolZ would one day get a spectacular revenge on them! Especially since, for several years after, the team struggled with good results, frequently changed its roster, and was disbanded in 2022 after the project was frozen.
During The MongolZ’s period of setbacks, a young team called IHC Esports was making waves. In 2022, the organization signed the former Checkmate roster, consisting of players bLitz, Techno4K, Bart4k, kabal, nin9, sk0R, and coaches maaRaa and kaz. Shortly after, Annihilation and Hasteka replaced nin9 and sk0R. Just one month after forming, the team won the Asia-Pacific RMR for PGL Major Antwerp 2022 and qualified for their first Major.
This marked the beginning of the legendary The MongolZ’s revival.
2023: The MongolZ 2.0—project reboot in partnership with 1xBet
In early April 2023, a major event took place in the world of Mongolian esports: The MongolZ, in partnership with 1xBet, announced the revival of the project and introduced a new roster. Fans saw the stars of the former IHC Esports team—bLitz, Techno4K, Bart4k, Annihilation, hasteka, as well as coaches kaz and maaRaa.
The old project didn’t align with the players’ ambitions to win on the world stage, so they decided to build a new team based on the well-known name The MongolZ. The leadership of IHC Esports highly valued the interests of Mongolian esports and allowed the players with active contracts to join the new team. A significant role in this decision was played by 1xBet: the globally recognized bookmaker had long been working with IHC Esports, and its experience in promoting projects earned trust.
1xBet has accumulated this experience over years of collaboration with esports teams (MIBR, Beastcoast, IHC Esports), tournament operators (ESL, PGL, MESA), and media outlets (HLTV). The partner not only responds to any request from the team but also proactively offers development options for The MongolZ. This includes purchasing uniforms, covering flight and accommodation expenses for tournaments, and providing financial support for creating a modern training facility. 1xBet organizes regular boot camps in Europe for The MongolZ and helps increase their audience by promoting them on social media and arranging live fan meet-ups.
To celebrate The MongolZ’s qualification for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, the team received a heartwarming surprise. 1xBet hired top street artists to create a vibrant mural featuring the players in the heart of Ulaanbaatar.
In its first year, the team successfully qualified for the Asia-Pacific RMR for the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 but was eliminated in the first stage. The management learned from the experience and, instead of Bart4k and Annihilation, brought in two new players—sniper 910 and rifler mzinho, who was only 15 at the time of the invitation. In the fall of 2023, another young talent, 17-year-old rifler Senzu, joined the team. After this, the average age of the players dropped to 18.8 years, but the youth quickly showed their potential and started winning.
2024: victories at YaLLa Compass and Thunderpick World Championship, qualification for Perfect World Shanghai Major
At the beginning of the year, the team qualified for PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 and successfully passed the tournament’s first stage with a 3-2 record. In June, The MongolZ won the local tournament MESA Nomadic Masters Spring 2024, earning $50,000, and a week later became champions of the international YaLLa Compass 2024, securing a record $200,000 in prize money! It was at this tournament that the Mongols got their revenge, defeating Ninjas in Pyjamas twice.
In the same season, the team secured silver at the Skyesports Championship 2024, bronze at the Elisa Masters Espoo 2024, and performed well at top tournaments such as IEM Cologne 2024, ESL Pro League Season 20, and IEM Rio 2024. In the fall, The MongolZ traveled to Berlin for the Thunderpick World Championship 2024, where they took home the winner’s trophy along with $500,000 in prize money. During the tournament, the Mongols avenged another European team, defeating their old rivals, Fnatic, with a 2-0 score.
In mid-November, The MongolZ secured first place at the Asia-Pacific RMR and successfully qualified for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024. But the players didn’t stop there—first, they completed the Opening Stage of the Major with a 3-0 record, defeating Rare Atom, MIBR, and GamerLegion. Just a week later, they repeated the same dominant 3-0 score in the Elimination Stage, with victories over G2 Esports, MOUZ, and HEROIC!
This is where the story reaches its current peak—The MongolZ fulfill their dream and make it to the playoffs of the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 for the first time! The team rises to the Top 3 of the global rankings, securing at least 8th place and $45,000 in prize money from the Major. However, judging by their winning spirit and excellent shape, even higher results are within their reach—possibly even a Major victory!
The success of The MongolZ inspires esports players worldwide. The stunning rise of the young team is a reason to believe in the impossible, and a significant part of this story is thanks to 1xBet. With the brand’s support, The MongolZ managed to focus on their training and reach a new level.
