Cloud9 exits from Counter-Strike 2 and returns to Rainbow Six
Cloud9 announced that it is leaving Counter-Strike 2 and is coming back into the Rainbow Six Siege esports scene. The North American team stated it has ‘no plans’ to return to Counter-Strike 2 for now. Cloud9 has had a team in Counter-Strike since 2014.
Over nine years, they won many tournaments, including being the only North American team to take a Major title (ELEAGUE Boston 2018). The team’s decision to step back from Counter-Strike 2 was made public on February 14, 2025, along with the exit of Konstantin ‘groove’ Pikiner and team manager Aleksandr ‘sweety10’ Scherbakov.
Cloud9's last match in Counter-Strike 2 was at the Perfect World Shanghai Major in late 2024. They lost to Team Liquid, PaiN, and Complexity in the Opening Stage and did not make it to the playoffs. Even though Cloud9 has a long history in Counter-Strike, their last big win was in 2023 at Relog Media’s Brazy Party.
Rejoining Rainbow Six
Cloud9’s announcement of its return to Rainbow Six on February 15, 2025, makes it one of 20 teams in Ubisoft’s partner program. Teams in this program will earn profit from sales of pro-team bundles in the Rainbow Six store.
Cloud9 was one of two teams revealed at the Six Invitational 2025 to join this program with Brazilian team LOUD, joining as the 20th and last team for the 2025 season. The group has not yet shared its team lineup for the 2025 season.
The last time they played in Rainbow Six was at the 2021 Six Invitational, where they finished in the top sixteen. Cloud9's entry into Rainbow Six Siege adds another key North American team to Ubisoft’s tactical game. They join other teams like FaZe Clan, M80, and Spacestation Gaming, with FaZe representing Brazil.
Aside from their decision to leave Counter-Strike and rejoin Rainbow Six, Cloud9’s League of Legends team also has a new name for 2025. In partnership with Kia, a popular automobile company, the group will compete as Cloud9 KIA throughout the League of the Americas (LTA) season.
What is Rainbow Six?
Rainbow Six is a popular video game series made by Ubisoft. It is based on the Tom Clancy book of the same name. This game is a first-person shooter (FPS) where teams made up of five players each work together to complete goals.
The game focuses on strategy and teamwork, with players choosing from various operators, each with unique skills and gadgets. This makes each match different, as teams must adapt to their opponent's choices.
Esports events for Rainbow Six are held all over the globe. The main league is called the Rainbow Six Pro League, which features the best teams and players worldwide.
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