Cloud9 has been eliminated from the LTA North 2025 Split 3 Elimination Phase after losing 3-2 to 100 Thieves, ending its chance to qualify for the 2025 League of Legends World Championship.
A devastating end to Cloud9’s season
Cloud9’s hopes of returning to the international stage came to an abrupt end this weekend as the North American powerhouse fell in a five-game thriller against 100 Thieves. The loss, which eliminated C9 from the LTA North Split 3 Elimination Phase, means the organization will not appear at the 2025 League of Legends World Championship in China — a rare absence for one of North America’s most decorated franchises.
Despite entering the elimination round as one of the favorites, Cloud9 struggled to find consistency throughout the series. The defeat also marks the continuation of a frustrating trend: strong domestic starts followed by heartbreak in decisive moments.
The series: momentum swings and standout plays
The best-of-five clash had all the hallmarks of a classic NA rivalry. 100 Thieves struck first, taking game one thanks to Kim “River” Dong-woo’s aggressive Vi performance that gave his team an early map lead. Cloud9 quickly answered back in dominant fashion in game two, storming to a 23-3 win with Lee “Loki” Sang-min’s Aurora posting an unstoppable 8-0-5 stat line.
Game three swung back toward 100T as Victor “FBI” Huang’s Aphelios shredded through Cloud9’s defenses, finishing with a 10-2-6 KDA. Refusing to go quietly, Cloud9 forced a decisive game five after Loki’s Sylas erupted for a 9-0-5 performance in game four, keeping the dream alive for one more map.
The final game, however, belonged to River once again. Piloting Pantheon, he spearheaded 100T’s early skirmishes and helped secure every major objective on the Rift. With clean rotations and sharp team fighting, 100 Thieves closed out the decider in just over 30 minutes, sealing Cloud9’s fate.
“If someone told me a month ago that 100T would eliminate Cloud9 from qualifying for the LTA Playoffs, I’d never have believed it,” caster Isaac “Azael” Cummings-Bentley posted on X.
River named Player of the Series
River’s consistent impact across all five games earned him the Player of the Series award. His ability to adapt champion picks — from initiating team fights on Vi, to out-macroing Cloud9 with Pantheon — proved pivotal. The performance also keeps 100 Thieves’ own championship aspirations alive, as they advance to face Shopify Rebellion in the next round.
Cloud9’s 2025 campaign in review
For Cloud9, this result is a bitter pill to swallow after a year filled with high expectations. The organization entered 2025 with strong momentum following its naming rights partnership with Kia America, an announcement that positioned the team as one of North America’s flagship esports brands.
In Split One, C9 impressed with a second-place finish, though their run ended with a loss to — fittingly — 100 Thieves. At the Cross Conference tournament, they reached the semi-finals before falling to Team Liquid. Split Two was more encouraging: Cloud9 qualified for the Esports World Cup, showcasing the squad’s ability to compete internationally, though they narrowly missed out on a Mid-Season Invitational berth after falling short against FlyQuest.
Heading into Split Three, Cloud9 looked poised to make another deep run. They tied for first in the Pick and Play Phase with a 3-0 record, fueling optimism that this could finally be the split where everything came together. Instead, they stumbled against Shopify Rebellion in the lower bracket before 100T delivered the decisive blow.
A legacy interrupted
Historically, Cloud9 has been synonymous with North American success. The organization has captured six LCS titles and qualified for Worlds 10 times, including memorable runs that made them a fan favorite on the global stage. Missing Worlds 2025 is not only a major disappointment for fans, but also a rare blemish on C9’s otherwise consistent international record.
Following the elimination, Cloud9 posted a message of gratitude on social media:
This first year of the LTA has been historic from start to end. With fearless and all of its rollercoaster series,
we gave it our all and came up just short. Thank you for supporting C9 Kia this year.
Looking ahead
For Cloud9, the offseason now looms large. With a roster that has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency, management faces difficult decisions about whether to rebuild or double down on its current core. Questions also remain about how the Kia partnership will evolve after such a disappointing competitive outcome.
As for 100 Thieves, the win keeps their season alive, and River’s performance hints that the team could yet mount a deeper playoff run. Their next challenge comes against Shopify Rebellion, a matchup that will determine which organization continues to chase a Worlds 2025 berth.
The bigger picture for North America
Cloud9’s absence from Worlds 2025 highlights a broader concern for North American League of Legends. With international competition growing stronger, every lost seed feels like a blow to the region’s reputation. Fans will now look to the remaining LTA North contenders to carry the banner in China later this year, hoping they can restore some pride on the global stage.
For now, though, the story is about missed opportunities. Cloud9’s 2025 campaign promised so much — bold partnerships, strong starts, and international appearances — but ultimately ended one step short of the region’s most prestigious stage.
