Powering Esports Innovation with AI
In a move that blends the worlds of coding and competitive gaming, JetBrains has officially partnered with Cloud9 Esports as the organisation’s AI-Powered Coding Partner. The collaboration aims to push the limits of what’s possible in esports by integrating advanced AI coding tools into Cloud9’s operations, from player performance analytics to fan engagement.
The partnership sees JetBrains bring its suite of AI-driven development tools, including the popular PyCharm IDE and AI coding agent Junie, directly into Cloud9’s ecosystem. The goal? To enhance team performance, streamline workflows, and inspire the next generation of developer-gamers.
“Partnering with Cloud9 brings together the competitive spirit of gaming with the imagination and precision of AI-powered coding,” said Anastasia Zemskova, VP of Strategy at JetBrains. “Together, we’re proving that skill, strategy, and creativity know no limits.”
Empowering Players, Developers, and Fans
Cloud9 President Jonathan Tran described the collaboration as much more than a sponsorship, calling it “a working model of how technology and esports can come together to spark innovation, creativity, and opportunity.”
By bringing JetBrains’ ecosystem to its massive fanbase, Cloud9 hopes to empower millions of gamers, creators, and aspiring engineers, not just to play, but to build.
As part of the agreement, JetBrains will provide Cloud9’s teams with advanced AI tools to accelerate the creation of internal software, data workflows, and fan-focused features. The partnership also includes:
- A global Hackathon giving fans the chance to tackle real-world gaming data challenges.
- Joint online sessions and in-person events where both brands share insights on applying AI in esports.
- Interactive content, fan quests, and giveaways throughout the season.
- On-jersey branding, featuring the JetBrains logo on Cloud9’s 2026 Pro Kit across League of Legends, VALORANT, Rainbow Six, and Call of Duty.
Coding Meets Competition
For JetBrains, the deal marks its first step into esports, an arena defined by speed, teamwork, and constant innovation. The company, trusted by more than 15 million developers and 88 of the Fortune Global 100, believes that its AI technology can give Cloud9 a cutting-edge advantage on and off the stage.
“Partnering with JetBrains is a natural fit for Cloud9,” said Halee Mason, VP of Partnerships & Technology at Cloud9. “Their new AI agent Junie will help us innovate within esports, and I’m excited to see developers put their skills to the test in our upcoming Hackathon.”
Yulia Anfilova, VP of Marketing at JetBrains, added: “This collaboration connects the fast-paced worlds of competitive esports and software development, both pioneered by ingenuity and breakthrough talent.”
Building the Future of Esports Technology
From creating smarter data tools to designing immersive fan experiences, the Cloud9 x JetBrains partnership highlights how AI can transform every layer of the esports ecosystem. Both brands share a passion for creativity, performance, and community, and now, they’re joining forces to shape what’s next for gaming technology.
Fans can follow @Cloud9 and @JetBrains on X for updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and details on upcoming hackathons and content drops.