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Cloud9 have officially announced their departure from the Counter-Strike scene once again, marking the end of their latest foray into the game after nearly three years of struggles and underwhelming results.
The organisation confirmed the news with the release of coach Konstantin “groove” Pikiner and manager Aleksandr “sweety10” Shcherbakov, stating on X that they are “taking a step back” from Counter-Strike 2 with “no immediate plans to re-enter,” while leaving the door open for a potential return under the right circumstances.
The announcement follows the dismantling of Cloud9’s roster, which saw Kaisar “ICY” Faiznurov move to Virtus.pro, Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov and Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhaylov join BetBoom Team, Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko sign with G2 Esports, and Timofey “interz” Yakushin released.
Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy remains under contract, though the 25-year-old recently noted that high buyouts have hindered his ability to join another team despite receiving multiple offers.
Thank you @Sweetypotz_C9 & Groove for representing Cloud9.
With their departures, C9 is taking a step back from Counter-Strike 2. While we have no immediate plans to re-enter, we love CS and are always on the lookout for opportunities. pic.twitter.com/gL8kb0pnSO
— Cloud9 CS (@C9CSGO) February 14, 2025
Cloud9’s latest exit from Counter-Strike comes after an unsuccessful attempt to build around the former Gambit Esports roster, acquired in 2022.
Despite high expectations and talent-rich lineups, the team’s only notable achievement was winning IEM Dallas 2022.
The revolving door of players, including stints with Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov, Timur “buster” Tulepov, ICY, and HeavyGod, failed to produce consistent results, leaving fans longing for the organisation’s glory days.
Speculation had swirled about Cloud9 potentially returning to their North American roots, with rumours of reuniting the iconic ELEAGUE Boston Major-winning roster.
However, the latest statement dispels such hopes for now.
As Cloud9 steps away, it highlights the ongoing decline of North American Counter-Strike, with many talents opting for European opportunities and the region’s tier-two scene struggling to produce new stars.
While Cloud9’s legacy in Counter-Strike remains significant, particularly as the only North American team to win a Major, their recent journey has been marred by unmet expectations.
For now, fans are left reminiscing about the past as Cloud9’s presence in CS fades once more.
The organisation has promised to keep an eye out for future opportunities, but the Cloud9 that once stood as a pillar of NA CS appears to be a distant memory.
