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A Fresh Start for the Ninjas

Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) have officially unveiled their brand-new Rocket League roster for the upcoming Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2026 season, and fans are already buzzing.

The Swedish esports organisation announced that Cristian “crr” Fernández Raigal, Joris “Joreuz” Robben, and Ole “oaly” van Doorn will be joining forces under the NIP banner. The team will be coached by Lachlan “LBP” Parker, who’s stepping in after a successful run with Chiefs Esports Club across 2024 and 2025.

The reveal, which went live on NIP’s official social channels, was headlined by the caption: “BOBBY JR HAS BUILT OUR 2026 ROSTER!”, a nod to the organisation’s general manager, who’s quickly become a fan favourite within the community.

Meet the New Ninjas

Each of NIP’s new recruits brings a wealth of experience and momentum from the 2025 season:

  • Joreuz previously represented Dignitas, where he helped the team secure a second-place finish at the RLCS 2025 Raleigh Major, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most mechanically gifted players.
  • crr, the Spanish prodigy, competed with Complexity Gaming throughout 2025, making appearances at both the Birmingham and Raleigh Majors.
  • oaly, who joins from Geekay Esports, had a standout season that included a runner-up finish at the Esports World Cup. Geekay even sent their best wishes on social media, saying, “Take good care of him fellas.”

Together, they form a strong European trio with a balance of youthful energy and tournament experience, exactly what NIP needs heading into a new competitive year.

A New Chapter After a Clean Slate

This announcement follows a complete roster reset for NIP. The organisation parted ways with its previous players and coaching staff on October 3rd, 2025, signalling a full rebuild in preparation for 2026.

During the 2025 season, NIP showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to maintain consistent top-tier finishes. Despite falling short in earlier majors, the team made a powerful late-season comeback, winning the RLCS 2025 European Last Chance Qualifier by defeating Team BDS 4–1 to earn a spot at the World Championship.

At Worlds, NIP held their own, finishing seventh overall and bowing out to Karmine Corp in the lower bracket playoffs. It was a solid showing, but one that clearly motivated the organisation to refresh its Rocket League lineup and aim higher in 2026.

Looking Ahead to RLCS 2026

The Rocket League Championship Series 2026 kicks off on November 14th, and all eyes will be on NIP’s new lineup to see how the revamped squad performs against some of the world’s best.

With Coach LBP at the helm and a roster stacked with proven talent, Ninjas in Pyjamas look poised for a strong showing. As their announcement boldly stated, “Bobby really cooked this one.”

Fans can only hope the new recipe leads to trophies.