{"id":432325,"date":"2026-10-09T17:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=432325"},"modified":"2026-10-09T17:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:31:10","slug":"nip-replace-virtus-pro-at-thunderpick-world-championship-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/nip-replace-virtus-pro-at-thunderpick-world-championship-2026","title":{"rendered":"NIP Replace Virtus.pro at Thunderpick World Championship 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ninjas in Pyjamas will play at the Thunderpick World Championship after Virtus.pro withdrew from the event. The organizer has also revealed the opening matchups for the $1,000,000 tournament, which runs from October 14-18.<\/p>\n

This is interesting for two reasons. First, NIP receive a late call-up and will face Falcons, the highest-seeded team, in their very first match. Second, the group stage already promises strong games, with a returning player and a busy FURIA schedule adding extra storylines.<\/p>\n\n

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\n \n MOUZ Beat FURIA to Reach ESL Pro League Season 24 Semifinal <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Why Virtus.pro Left the Event<\/h2>\n

Virtus.pro had earned their place through the Closed Qualifier. However, two issues forced the team to pull out. Aleksandr \u201cAquaRS\u201d Kovalev ran into visa problems. In addition, Dias \u201cF0R3VER\u201d Kutubay had health reasons that led him to step back from the active lineup for now.<\/p>\n

How NIP Got the Spot<\/h2>\n

Thunderpick\u2019s rulebook explains how replacements work. Normally, the next eligible team in the VRS that accepts an invite takes the empty slot. In this case, though, the withdrawal came within 20 days of the event\u2019s start. Therefore, the replacement had to come from the next eligible team in the host region, which is Europe. As a result, Ninjas in Pyjamas replace Virtus.pro.<\/p>\n

Format and Opening Matches<\/h2>\n

The tournament takes place in Malta. Two best-of-three GSL groups will send four teams through to a single-elimination playoffs bracket. The bracket ends with a third-place decider and a best-of-five grand final.<\/p>\n

Falcons open their run against Ninjas in Pyjamas. Their group also includes 9z and Aurora. In Group B, Legacy meet PARIVISION, while FURIA start their event against BETBOOM. The opening matchups are:<\/p>\n