100 Thieves to Make First LAN Appearance Against Ninjas in Pyjamas at Roman Imperium Cup V

100 Thieves to Make First LAN Appearance Against Ninjas in Pyjamas at Roman Imperium Cup V

The newly reassembled 100 Thieves Counter-Strike 2 roster is set to make its highly anticipated LAN debut later this month at Roman Imperium Cup V, culminating in a match against Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) — one of the event’s headline clashes. 

Organisers have confirmed that this four-day tournament will take place from February 19 to February 22 at the SAW Esports Arena in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Sixteen teams will compete in a format featuring group stages followed by playoffs. Teams are divided into four groups, with the top two from each group advancing to a single-elimination bracket in the playoffs. 

A Tough Start in Group D

100 Thieves find themselves drawn in Group D alongside NiP, Monte, and BESTIA — certainly not the most forgiving bracket for a first LAN test. Their opener against NiP is scheduled for the second day of group play, Friday, February 20, at 18:00 CET. 

Why This LAN Matters

This Roman Imperium Cup event carries Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points, making it significant not just as 100 Thieves’ debut on LAN but also in terms of their standing in the broader competitive CS2 ecosystem. Tier 2 events such as Roman Imperium Cup increasingly matter, as teams compete not only for prize money but also for ranking and qualification advantages into larger tournaments. 

The tournament has historically been a proving ground for teams outside the Tier 1 echelon. For example, the previous edition, Roman Imperium Cup IV, was won by Berlin International Gaming (BIG), indicating quality competition despite its Tier 2 status. 

100 Thieves’ New Roster Context

After announcing their return to Counter-Strike 2 in January 2026 — their first venture back into the CS scene since 2020 — 100 Thieves assembled a fresh lineup that combines established veterans with rising talents. 

• Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz – multi-Major champion and veteran AWPer

• Håvard “rain” Nygaard – seasoned rifler turned in-game leader

• André “Ag1l” Gil – younger promising talent

• William “sirah” Kjærsgaard – versatile position player

• Alex “poiii” Sundgren – experienced fragger

• Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander – coach with a championship pedigree

The team’s journey over the last month has been an exercise in adaptation and rapid synergising. Their first competitive matches with this CS2 lineup came online during the IEM Atlanta 2026 open qualifiers, where they fought through multiple rounds before falling 13–8 to MOUZ NXT. This performance, while not spectacular, offered valuable early data for growth ahead of their LAN tests. 

Secondary Events and Schedule

Following Roman Imperium Cup V, 100 Thieves’ schedule includes participation in DraculaN Season 5, held in Bucharest from February 24 to February 28. That event will further test their cohesion and competitive resilience against more regional opposition. 

Community and Competitive Expectations

The community’s reaction to 100 Thieves’ recent performances has been mixed, with some observers expressing skepticism about lineup stability while others are optimistic about long-term potential given the experience in the roster. Initial online results suggest the team still has work to do, particularly in rounds requiring quick adaptation and utility use in CS2, which remains a challenge for many newly formed squads. 

Broader Tournament Landscape

Roman Imperium Cup V will feature squads such as fnatic, Passion UA, BetBoom Team, and Gentle Mates, making for a diverse range of matchups and an opportunity for mid-tier teams to make deep runs and claim valuable VRS points. The £5,000 (~€5,000) prize pool and the competitive format ensure meaningful stakes for all teams involved. 

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Summary:
100 Thieves are set for a pivotal LAN debut at Roman Imperium Cup V in Portugal, facing Ninjas in Pyjamas in what could be a defining test for their new Counter-Strike 2 roster. This event marks a key stage in their 2026 competitive campaign as they aim to climb the VRS ladder and establish themselves in the broader CS2 scene.