Cloud9

Lore & Background

Cloud9 originated after esports organization Quantic Gaming released all of their League of Legends players. Afterward, all five players formed their own team under the moniker Team NomNom, later rebranding to Cloud9 in early 2013. Cloud9 was then reacquired by Quantic Gaming on April 1, 2013, and later rebranded the team back to Cloud9. The team then changed hands again in May 2013, as former Team SoloMid manager Jack Etienne and Paullie Etienne bought out the contracts of the players for less than $20,000, officially creating the Cloud9 organization. In 2018, Cloud9 won three international championships: the Rocket League Championship Series Season 6 World Championship, the 2018 Overwatch League Grand Finals (as the London Spitfire, a subsidiary of Cloud9), and the ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018. In February 2025, Cloud9 stepped away from Counter‑Strike 2 and re‑entered Rainbow Six Siege. In June, Cloud9 publicly denied rumours of a return to Counter‑Strike.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed overhead as the player adjusted his gloves, the blue fabric of his jersey stark against the dark stage. He checked the AK-47 skin one last time, listening to the murmurs of the crowd filtering through the headset seal. This was it—another Major qualifier, another chance to prove that North America belonged at this table. The timer ticked down on the screen, smoke grenades ready in his utility belt.

Reader's Guide

Cloud9 has held divisions in numerous esports throughout its existence, establishing eight by 2014. The company currently operates four franchised teams: Cloud9 League of Legends of the League Championship Series (LCS), Cloud9 Valorant of the Valorant Champions Tour Americas, Cloud9 New York in the Call of Duty League and Cloud9 Rainbow Six in the BLAST R6 North America League. They previously operated the London Spitfire in the Overwatch League. They also operate or have operated non-franchised teams in Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, EA Sports FC, Fortnite, Halo, Hearthstone, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., Teamfight Tactics, and World of Warcraft.

Did You Know?

• Cloud9 was originally founded as a professional League of Legends team in May 2013.
• Cloud9 won the 2018 Overwatch League Grand Finals as the London Spitfire, a subsidiary created for the Overwatch League.
• Cloud9 received US$78 million in total raised equity via venture capital funding.
• Cloud9 stepped away from Counter-Strike 2 in February 2025 and re-entered Rainbow Six Siege at that time.