Ninjas in Pyjamas and ESV5 merge into NIP Group

After months of rumors, the merger between Ninjas in Pyjamas and ESV5 was confirmed by Reuters in an article published on July 9th.

• The Swedish esports team will merge with ESV5 via equity swap.
• ESV5 is home to eStar Gaming, active in Riot Games’ League of Legends and various mobile esports tournaments
• The two organisations will form a new entity – NIP Group rumored as a potential listing on Nasdaq by the end of this year.
• Part of the organization moves to Shenzhen and Wuhan.

Ninjas in Pyjamas merges with ESV5

A new era is about to begin. The merge between NIP and ESV5, under the name of NIP Group, is about to bring up new ways to globalize Esports games.

According to the international press, China is the world’s biggest gaming market. Besides that, Wild Rift is going to be one of the top games soon in China’s video games market. Thus this merge is a very important step for the future of mobile gaming.

Ninjas in Pyjamas are well known for their CS:GO and Rainbow Six teams. This return in the LOL scene will have a positive impact on the organization and, most important, on their fans.

ESV5 is one of the top 20 teams in China’s top division League of Legends league. The rebranding of CSV5  to Ninjas in Pyjamas will be put on hold until the 2022 LPL Summer Split, due to the regulations set by Riot. Besides having V5 team, CSV5 is also handling the LPL Shenzhen home venue.

Ninjas in Pyjamas in LPL

Even if they just started the collab, the team will compete in the upcoming LPL qualifiers for a chance to take part in League’s Mobile China league and in the Wild Rift World Championship 2021.

The qualifiers will take place in September with 16 teams. After the competition is over, the top 5 teams will qualify for the Chinese league. 

From Stockholm to Shenzhen

The organization’s rosters for Valorant, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege and FIFA will remain in Stockholm, while the LOL roster will be based in Shenzhen, China. By changing the base to China, the team will have more facilities and opportunities for better training. 

Additionally to the Shenzhen and Stockholm bases, NIP Group will also have ESV5’s Wuhan mobile gaming champions eStar Gaming.  eStar Gaming will develop more in the mobile esports scene, as part of NIP, but it will not be rebranded. 

“Forming NIP Group today is truly one of the biggest achievements of my life so far. This merger between NIP and ESV5 is global to the state, the largest ever M&A activity in the esports industry “ – Mario Ho, the Co-CEO of NIP Group said in an interview.

You can watch the full interview down below

Everyone seems excited about this fusion and for the new era that is about to begin. We surely will keep an eye on NIP for these qualifiers.