North American esports enthusiasts were met with surprising news as Envy, a prominent organization in the gaming community, announced its exit from the Halo esports scene. This move marks the end of a vigorous six-month period where Envy consistently competed in the Halo Championship Series (HCS).
The Decision to Depart
Announced on November 15th, this decision aligns with the HCS’s choice to step away from Halo Infinite by the close of the 2025 season. During its time in the league, Envy held its ground as one of North America’s top teams, achieving several impressive top-three finishes in both online and offline tournaments. The team’s chapter concluded with a commendable third-place finish at the Halo World Championship 2025.
Envy’s history with Halo is extensive. The team has been a competitor in the Halo scene since 2015, even clinching the runner-up position at the World Championship in 2017 against rivals OpTic Gaming. Their recent highlight was winning the HCS 2025 Charlotte Major NA qualifier in September.
“I wish Halo esports would have better opportunities in 2026 because this team was making nothing but progress this year,” said Mike ‘Hastr0’ Rufail, Founder and CEO of Envy. “We’ll be back when the HCS is back.”
The Future Of Halo Esports
As the HCS plans its departure from Halo Infinite, the landscape of Halo esports is set to evolve. Preparations for a post-HCS era are underway, with Halo Studios collaborating with ESL FACEIT Group to present an open tournament at DreamHack Birmingham in March 2026.
Despite the absence of an official esports circuit, Halo Studios remains committed to offering players and organizations opportunities to compete across Europe and North America. Additionally, the HCS’s collaboration with four organizations aims to enhance the community’s access to competitive Halo events.