Ninjas in Pyjamas Exploring New IGL Options as Snappi Exit Nears

Ninjas in Pyjamas are preparing for another significant change to their Counter-Strike 2 project, with the organization reportedly searching the market for a new in-game leader to replace Marco "Snappi" Pfeiffer.

Multiple sources told HLTV and Dust2 Brasil that NIP intend to move forward with a different IGL after a period of inconsistent results. The decision has not yet been formally announced by the organization, and NIP declined to comment when approached by HLTV.

The search has already produced at least one concrete approach. According to Dust2 Brasil, MIBR rejected an offer from Ninjas in Pyjamas for Swedish captain Linus "LNZ" Holtäng.

NIP could also make another roster move beyond the leadership position before returning to competition in September.

 

Quick Summary

Detail	Current status
Team	Ninjas in Pyjamas
Reported change	NIP searching for a new IGL
Current IGL	Marco "Snappi" Pfeiffer
Snappi status	Reportedly set to leave the playing lineup
Decision	Reported as mutual
Known IGL target	LNZ
LNZ transfer status	MIBR reportedly rejected NIP's offer
Possible second roster move	Yes
n0te status	Interim player
Permanent fifth	TBD
Next scheduled event	Logitech G Play Connect
Event dates	September 17–23, 2026
Official NIP announcement	Not yet
Primary reporting	HLTV and Dust2 Brasil

 

What Happened With Ninjas in Pyjamas?

 

Ninjas in Pyjamas are reportedly evaluating new in-game leader options as the organization prepares for another potential CS2 roster change.

 

 

HLTV reported on August 26 that Ninjas in Pyjamas are actively examining alternatives for their IGL position and plan to replace Snappi following a mixed run of results.

According to the report, the decision between Snappi and NIP was mutual. The Danish veteran had previously indicated that he would be prepared to step away from the active lineup if the organization decided that a different direction was necessary.

This distinction matters. Based on the reporting available at publication time, the move should not be characterized simply as NIP unexpectedly benching or firing Snappi.

The 36-year-old is also reportedly open to moving into another role within competitive Counter-Strike. Exactly what that means — coaching, management, analysis or another position — has not been established, so his next step remains TBD.

NIP have not announced Snappi's replacement.

 

Ninjas in Pyjamas Already Made an Approach for LNZ

The clearest indication of NIP's plans comes from Brazil.

Dust2 Brasil reported that MIBR rejected an offer from NIP for LNZ, who currently serves as the Brazilian organization's captain. HLTV independently incorporated that information into its report on NIP's IGL search.

The approach is particularly notable because LNZ already has history with the Ninjas in Pyjamas organization.

However, there is currently no evidence that an agreement between NIP and MIBR has been reached. The confirmed status from the reporting is the opposite: the reported offer was rejected.

Any other potential IGL candidates circulating in community discussions should therefore be treated as speculation unless additional reporting or an official announcement connects them to NIP.

 

NIP Could Make Two Changes Before Their Next Event

The IGL position may not be the only part of the lineup that changes.

NIP have also been evaluating how to permanently fill the spot opened when Artem "cairne" Mushynskyi was moved to the bench in June. Roman "n0te" Hamze has played with the main team on an interim basis since then.

That means NIP effectively have two separate roster questions to resolve:

1. Who replaces Snappi as the team's in-game leader?
2. Who receives the permanent fifth-player position currently occupied on an interim basis by n0te?

HLTV reported that the organization could bring in two players before its next event.

Reported/Current NIP Roster Situation

Player	Current situation	Expected status
Snappi	Current IGL	Reportedly set to leave active lineup
stavn	Active player	No reported change
sjuush	Active player	No reported change
xKacpersky	Active player	No reported change
n0te	Playing with main team	Interim
Xizt	Coach	No reported change
New IGL	Not announced	TBD
Permanent fifth	Not announced	TBD

This table reflects the situation reported on August 26 and should be updated once NIP confirms its next roster.

 

Background: Snappi's Time With NIP

 

Snappi has led Ninjas in Pyjamas through multiple international events, but inconsistent results have reportedly prompted NIP to reconsider the team's leadership structure.

 

Snappi joined Ninjas in Pyjamas in January 2025 as part of a major reconstruction of the organization's Counter-Strike project.

His tenure included several meaningful international results. According to HLTV, NIP reached the StarSeries Fall 2025 grand final, advanced to Stage 2 of the Budapest Major and recorded a top-12 finish at IEM Cologne 2025 with Snappi leading the team.

Those peaks demonstrated that the project could compete internationally, but NIP struggled to turn them into sustained top-level consistency.

More recent tournament results have included 12th–14th at XSE Pro League, 5th–8th at BLAST Premier Rising, third place at Stake Ranked Episode 3, 9th–16th in BLAST Bounty and a 3rd–4th finish in the StarSeries Fall closed qualifier.

At the Esports World Cup, NIP finished 17th–24th after losing to Legacy and Astralis while defeating BetBoom.

 

NIP Roster Timeline

Date	Development
January 2025	Snappi joins NIP as part of the organization's rebuild
2025	NIP reach the StarSeries Fall grand final
2025	NIP reach Stage 2 of the Budapest Major
2025	NIP record a top-12 finish at IEM Cologne
June 2026	cairne is moved to the bench
June 2026 onward	n0te plays with the main roster on an interim basis
August 2026	NIP finish 17th–24th at the Esports World Cup
August 26, 2026	HLTV reports that NIP are searching for a new IGL
August 26, 2026	Dust2 Brasil reports MIBR rejected NIP's offer for LNZ
September 17–23, 2026	NIP scheduled to compete at Logitech G Play Connect
Early October 2026	NIP signed up for ROG Journey Autumn

The historical results and upcoming-event information are based on HLTV's August 26 report.

 

Why the NIP IGL Change Matters

Changing an IGL is fundamentally different from making a conventional one-for-one firepower upgrade.

The in-game leader influences calling, preparation, communication structure, mid-round decision-making and the overall tactical identity of a Counter-Strike team. Replacing that player can therefore affect how every other member of the lineup operates.

For NIP, the situation is even more consequential because the organization may be changing two players in the same window.

A new IGL would need to establish a working system around a lineup that has itself undergone significant changes. If NIP also sign a permanent replacement for the spot currently occupied by n0te, the team could enter September with a substantially different competitive structure.

That creates both opportunity and risk.

The upside is the possibility of designing the roster around a new leadership philosophy. The downside is that changing leadership shortly before competition can require another period of tactical adaptation.

 

Tactical Impact: What Could Change Under a New IGL?

Because NIP have not announced their next captain, it would be premature to predict specific map choices, calling tendencies or player positions.

The broader tactical consequences are easier to identify.

A new IGL may bring a different approach to T-side structure, mid-round freedom, utility protocols and the amount of initiative given to individual riflers. The incoming leader's preferred system could also influence which player NIP selects for its other potential roster opening.

That connection is important.

Rather than viewing the IGL and fifth-player searches as completely separate moves, NIP have an opportunity to construct the two positions together. A permanent fifth whose roles naturally complement the incoming captain could reduce role conflicts and give coach Richard "Xizt" Landström a clearer framework for the next version of the team.

Until the new players are identified, however, any more specific tactical projection would be speculative.

 

Tournament Impact

 

NIP's next roster will face the challenge of quickly establishing roles, communication and a new tactical system before returning to official competition.

 

Time is now an important factor.

HLTV lists NIP's next competitive appearance as Logitech G Play Connect in Warsaw, scheduled for September 17–23 with a $100,000 prize pool. The team is also signed up for ROG Journey Autumn in early October.

That gives NIP a limited window to complete any transfers and begin integrating a new IGL before official matches resume.

If two players arrive, the challenge becomes larger: NIP would need to establish communication, roles, map preparation and leadership responsibilities simultaneously.

The September event could therefore become the first meaningful test of whichever roster configuration NIP choose.

 

Ranking and VRS Impact

HLTV reported that NIP were 20th in the European VRS at the time of its August 26 report and had no tier-one tournament invitations immediately on the horizon.

No reliable post-transfer VRS calculation is available because the final roster has not been announced.

Projected VRS effect: TBD.

It would be misleading to assign a numerical ranking impact before the incoming players, roster eligibility and subsequent results are known.

 

Key Details

Question	Answer
Is Snappi officially out of NIP?	Not yet officially announced by NIP
Is NIP searching for another IGL?	Yes, according to HLTV sources
Was the decision reportedly mutual?	Yes
Has NIP contacted another IGL?	Dust2 Brasil reports an offer was made for LNZ
Did MIBR accept the LNZ offer?	No, according to Dust2 Brasil
Is n0te confirmed as the permanent fifth?	No
Could NIP sign two players?	Yes, according to HLTV's reporting
Has NIP commented publicly?	NIP declined to comment to HLTV
New IGL	TBD
Next event	Logitech G Play Connect, September 17–23

 

Impact Analysis

For NIP

The organization has an opportunity to reshape its competitive identity rather than making an isolated roster substitution.

Finding the correct IGL is particularly important because the incoming captain could influence how NIP build around stavn, sjuush, xKacpersky and whichever player ultimately takes the fifth position.

For Snappi

The report could mark the end of an approximately 20-month spell with NIP's active roster.

His playing future remains uncertain. HLTV's sources indicate that he is open to transitioning into another role in Counter-Strike, but no destination or position has been confirmed.

For LNZ and MIBR

The reported rejected offer indicates that NIP considered LNZ a viable leadership option.

For now, however, he remains with MIBR. Dust2 Brasil explicitly reported that the Brazilian organization turned down NIP's approach.

For n0te

His position remains one of the biggest unresolved questions.

The academy player has been filling the vacancy created by cairne's benching, but HLTV's report indicates that NIP are considering a permanent solution for that position as well.

 

What Changes Now?

Until an official announcement arrives, NIP's existing roster status should not be retroactively rewritten as though the transfers have already happened.

Snappi remains associated with the organization at the time of reporting, while his departure from the playing roster is reported rather than officially confirmed.

Likewise, no player should currently be described as NIP's new IGL.

The most important confirmed reporting points are that NIP are exploring alternatives, the separation with Snappi is expected, an approach for LNZ was rejected, and the organization may also address the n0te position before returning to competition.

 

Watch Ninjas in Pyjamas in action at IEM Kraków 2026, offering a closer look at the team's competitive setup during the Snappi-led period.

 

What to Watch Next

The first major development to monitor is an official NIP roster announcement.

After that, attention will turn to whether the organization revisits LNZ or switches to another IGL target. The status of n0te is equally important because the final fifth player could reveal how NIP intend to balance roles around their new captain.

The next checkpoints are:

New IGL announcement: TBD

Snappi's official status: TBD

Snappi's next role/team: TBD

Permanent fifth-player decision: TBD

Potential renewed LNZ negotiations: TBD

Final roster for Logitech G Play Connect: TBD

NIP debut with the new lineup: potentially September 17–23, subject to roster confirmation

 

FAQ

Are Ninjas in Pyjamas replacing Snappi?

According to multiple sources cited by HLTV, NIP intend to replace Snappi and are exploring new IGL options. NIP had not officially announced the change at publication time.

Who will be NIP's next IGL?

TBD. No replacement has been officially announced. LNZ is the only candidate publicly linked through concrete transfer reporting so far, but MIBR reportedly rejected NIP's offer for him.

Why is Snappi leaving NIP?

HLTV reports that the decision was mutual following mixed results. Snappi had previously indicated that he would step aside if the organization wanted to pursue a different direction.

Could NIP make another roster change?

Yes. HLTV reports that NIP are also considering how to permanently fill the vacancy left by cairne's benching. n0te has been playing with the team on an interim basis.

When will NIP play next?

HLTV lists Logitech G Play Connect in Warsaw, scheduled for September 17–23, 2026, as NIP's next event.