Ninjas in Pyjamas announced that they will not participate in Fragadelphia Blocktober. The decision was made in the context of the team’s fight for a place at the Major, where they are currently on the verge of qualifying.
Update regarding the upcoming Fragadelphia pic.twitter.com/JTf19af6IA
— NIP CS (@NIPCS) October 2, 2025
WHY NIP ARE SKIPPING THE TOURNAMENT
The organization explained the withdrawal as part of its effort to create the best possible conditions for its players at the decisive stage of the season. NIP currently hold 13th place in the European VRS ranking, which gives them a chance to qualify for the Major. In their statement, the club admitted that participating in Blocktober could have provided extra practice, but at the same time it did not align with their long-term goals.
CONTEXT: TEAM FORM AND RESULTS
In recent months, NIP have shown mixed results:
- 2nd place at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025
- 2nd place at Fragadelphia Fragville 2025
- Elimination in the Thunderpick World Championship qualifier
Under the leadership of Richard “Xizt” Landström, the team has found stability but still struggles to break the barrier of “silver” finishes. Skipping Blocktober may give them time to work on internal issues — especially ahead of PGL Masters Bucharest, where NIP will get the chance to prove their level in matches against top-tier teams.
ANALYSIS: WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VRS AND THE MAJOR
According to the latest VRS projections, NIP have more than a 99% chance of qualifying for the Major. They are in the Stage 1 category, alongside teams like B8, GamerLegion, and PARIVISION. However, skipping Blocktober means that any unexpected defeat of competitors or a series of upsets could still affect their position.
Key risks:
- ENCE, Gentle Mates, or Heroic could gain additional tournament points if they perform well.
- Even with a high probability of qualification, NIP remain vulnerable to small shifts in the points system.
At the same time, the decision looks strategic: the team is saving energy ahead of the main events of the fall and focusing on preparation rather than exhausting themselves at a lower-priority tournament.
5 days to go till the Major is decided.
What are the current EU 🇪🇺 Major VRS predictions.
Major slipping away from Heroic, M8, Fnatic & OG.
All on the line. pic.twitter.com/qDhofiVEj2
— Finn (@MischiefCS2) October 1, 2025
THE EUROPEAN ROSTER SEEKS TO SECURE THEIR MAJOR SPOT
Ninjas in Pyjamas’ withdrawal from Fragadelphia Blocktober is not a step backward but rather a bet on long-term perspective. The team chose stability and preparation over extra tournament pressure. If the projected 99% holds true, the squad will get the chance to showcase themselves at the Major — where there will be no room for tactical withdrawals.
