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100 Thieves Officially Return to Counter-Strike with Roobet Partnership and European Expansion
100 Thieves have formally confirmed their long-anticipated return to Counter-Strike, announcing plans to build a new Counter-Strike 2 roster after more than five years away from the scene.
The Los Angeles–based organization revealed the move in an official press release, unveiling a “landmark, multi-year partnership” with online casino brand Roobet. The CS2 lineup will compete under the name 100 Thieves Roobet, with the deal described as one of the most significant commercial partnerships in the organization’s history.
European Base and Serbian Training Facility
As part of the comeback, 100 Thieves are making a strategic move toward Europe. The organization will establish a dedicated training facility in Serbia, which will serve as a central hub for both the CS2 team and content production — positioning the club directly within the world’s most competitive Counter-Strike region.
100 Thieves president Jacob Toft-Andersen emphasized that Counter-Strike remains a foundational part of the organization’s identity. He described the title as “a cornerstone of esports” and said that by setting up a permanent European base, 100 Thieves are committed to doing things “the right way” alongside Roobet to create a project that fans can be proud of.
From Roobet’s side, Allen Temiz, the company’s Director of Partnerships, highlighted that Counter-Strike is deeply embedded in Roobet’s story, noting that the founding team originally met while playing the game. He described the collaboration with 100 Thieves as a passion project rather than a purely commercial venture.
The partnership will center around competition and fan engagement. 100 Thieves also clarified that there will be no gambling or betting-related content on their official social channels.
Roster Still Unannounced – But All Eyes on Rain
The organization has not yet revealed any player signings. Both the 100 Thieves announcement and subsequent reports confirm that details about the roster and competitive schedule will be shared “in the coming months.”
However, multiple reports suggest that Håvard “rain” Nygaard, the long-time FaZe Clan star, has already signed as the first piece of the new lineup. Sources have also indicated that 100 Thieves are targeting a European-based roster built around several GamerLegion players, with rain’s involvement potentially dependent on the rest of the roster composition.
These roster details have not been officially confirmed, so for now they remain well-sourced but unverified reports.
What Rain Brings to the Table
If confirmed, rain would be a marquee signing. The 31-year-old Norwegian veteran spent over eight years with FaZe Clan, playing nearly 2,000 official maps and winning numerous titles, including PGL Major Antwerp 2022 and the Intel Grand Slam.
After being benched by FaZe in late 2025, rain stated that he was open to offers “for any role” — including in-game leading — giving potential teams flexibility in how to utilize his experience. That versatility and pedigree would make him an ideal leader for a rebuilding organization like 100 Thieves.
A Long Road Back: From CS:GO Exit to CS2 Return
This marks 100 Thieves’ third era in Counter-Strike. Their first attempt in 2017, with the former Immortals lineup, ended before the team played an official match.
The organization returned in late 2019 with an Australian core featuring Justin “jks” Savage, Aaron “AZR” Ward, Joakim “jkaem” Myrbostad, Jay “Liazz” Tregillgas, and Sean “Gratisfaction” Kaiwai. That team reached the IEM Beijing 2019 grand final and peaked at No. 5 in the world rankings before struggling during the online era.
In October 2020, 100 Thieves withdrew from CS:GO entirely. Founder and CEO Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag cited uncertainty around the competitive ecosystem, logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the organization’s North American base as key reasons. He emphasized that the decision aimed to support players’ careers and hinted that the org could return “when the time is right.”
From Ambition to Reality
Over the past few years, leadership at 100 Thieves has repeatedly expressed a desire to rejoin Counter-Strike. In 2024, Jacob Toft-Andersen described re-entering CS2 as an “ambition” rather than a closed chapter.
Now, with a new Roobet partnership, a European operational base, and a long-term investment in infrastructure — including the Serbian facility — that ambition has become reality. The move addresses many of the logistical and geographic challenges that led to their 2020 exit.
What’s Next
At this stage, the key questions revolve around the team’s final roster and when fans can expect 100 Thieves Roobet to make their competitive debut.
What is confirmed so far:
The project is backed by a multi-year partnership with Roobet.
A European training facility in Serbia is in development.
Roster and schedule details will be announced in the near future.
As speculation continues around rain’s involvement and the possible addition of GamerLegion players, one thing is clear — 100 Thieves are back in Counter-Strike, and their return could reshape the competitive landscape of CS2 in 2026.
