Ben ‘Bance’ Bance, one of Europe’s most decorated Call of Duty professionals, has officially announced his retirement from competitive play, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned over a decade and featured numerous top-tier placements and historic achievements.
The announcement came via social media shortly after Bance and his team, Team Orchid, were eliminated from the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The post was met with an outpouring of admiration and respect from players, fans, and colleagues throughout the esports community.
"Today, I’m officially stepping away from competing in Call of Duty," Bance shared. "It’s been an incredible journey—one I’ll always be proud of."
Bance's most recent stint in competition saw him competing in the Call of Duty Challengers scene following his 2023 departure from the Minnesota Rokkr. Team Orchid, his final squad, established themselves as a force in the European circuit, earning a top-four finish at the 2024 Challengers Finals and securing $12,000 (~£8,944) in prize winnings. Their strong run was capped with a top 16 finish at the Esports World Cup—Bance’s final LAN appearance.
Though his recent efforts were in the amateur tier, Bance’s legacy was built on years of elite-level competition. He first broke into the professional scene in 2014 during Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, initially representing Team Infused and Exertus eSports. His breakthrough came in 2015, when he joined Splyce, a move that would define much of his early career.
Bance became a household name during the Black Ops 3 season, known for his tactical brilliance and clutch performances. In 2016, he played a crucial role in leading Splyce to the Call of Duty World Championship Grand Final—marking the first time a European team had reached the final since 2011. Although they fell short to Team EnVyUs, the second-place finish was a landmark achievement for the European scene.
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