Following their 2–3 loss to 100 Thieves on Friday in the LTA North playoffs, Cloud9’s 2025 season came to an abrupt end. The defeat not only knocked them out of contention for the Regional Championship but also officially eliminated their chances of qualifying for Worlds.

This means that, for the first time since 2012, neither Cloud9 nor Team Liquid will be competing at Worlds. This breaks a 12-year streak. This absence highlights the evolving competitive landscape of the North American League of Legends, where even the most historically dominant organizations can face setbacks.

The end of the two Emperors’ era

Just like in the EMEA region with Karmine Corp, established North American organizations are now being challenged by new contenders within their league. With the new FlyQuest era that began a year ago, the battle for podium spots has become far more contested. Shopify Rebellion and 100 Thieves secured the other two qualifying spots for the Regional Championship, guaranteeing that the Americas will send fresh representatives to Worlds—provided they can overcome their opponents from LTA South.

Cloud9 first put NA on the Worlds map in 2013, quickly establishing themselves as the region’s standard-bearer. With a blend of raw talent and charismatic personalities, the team became known for its aggressive playstyle and resilience. Players like Zachary "Sneaky" Scuderi, An "BalIs" Van Le, and Hai "Hai" Du Lam led Cloud9 through multiple Worlds appearances from 2013 to 2019, often carrying the hopes of an entire region. Notable peak was in 2018 when they reached semi-finals with a roster led by veteran Nicolaj "Jensen" Jensen. They failed to be the first team from the West since season 1 to reach Worlds grand final, losing 3-0 to Fnatic.

While Cloud9 dominated early in the decade, Team Liquid emerged as a formidable contender from 2018 onward. With Worlds appearances in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023–2024, TL showcased a roster filled with high-caliber players like Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng, Jo "CoreJJ" Yong-in, and again Jensen, who helped define the team’s identity. However, despite TL’s consistently being one of the top teams in North America, trying to push the region on another level, they have never reached even quarter finals at Worlds.