TL;DR
- Fnatic and Cloud9 transformed traditional rivalry into collaborative partnership through FNC9 merchandise
- The collection combines both team logos and represents shared passion for esports excellence
- Controversial speed dating event in Berlin generated mixed reactions from fans
- Both teams faced challenging 1-2 standings in their respective Worlds groups
- The collaboration demonstrates evolving esports culture beyond competitive animosity
The competitive landscape of League of Legends has long featured spirited competition between North American and European organizations, but Fnatic and Cloud9 elevated this dynamic through their innovative FNC9 merchandise initiative.
What began as playful Twitter exchanges between the League of Legends European Championship’s FNC and LoL Championship Series’ C9 evolved into something far more substantial. Their digital rapport featured clever memes targeting each other’s playstyles while maintaining genuine support during crucial tournament moments.
This digital camaraderie represents a strategic shift in how esports organizations approach regional rivalries. Rather than fostering pure antagonism, they’ve cultivated a relationship that balances competitive fire with mutual respect—a delicate equilibrium that resonates with modern esports audiences who appreciate both high-level competition and community building.
To commemorate their unique relationship developed over multiple competitive seasons, Fnatic and Cloud9 launched collaborative merchandise featuring integrated branding from both organizations. Dubbed the FNC9 collection, these items represent a novel approach to cross-regional collaboration in professional gaming.
Fans can acquire these distinctive products through Fnatic’s digital storefront or visit the physical merchandise location at Mercedez Platz in Berlin, coinciding with the 2019 World Championship venue.
Both squads actively promoted the collection across their social media platforms, emphasizing their shared competitive spirit. As Fnatic articulated in their official statement: “The driving force behind this Fnatic-Cloud9 partnership stems from mutual dedication to esports excellence. The FNC9 line embodies our collective passion for competitive gaming and appreciation for each other’s organizational ethos.”
For collectors seeking authentic esports memorabilia, these items offer tangible representation of a significant moment in competitive League of Legends history. The strategic timing during Worlds 2019 ensures maximum visibility and cultural impact.
The merchandise launch represented just one facet of their comprehensive collaboration strategy. FNC and C9 specifically designed the collection to engage fan communities across both major Western regions, enabling supporters to simultaneously cheer for both organizations during the World Championship, especially valuable given their placement in separate competitive groups.
Their partnership extended into unconventional territory with a scheduled speed dating gathering in Berlin on October 18. This creative fan engagement tactic generated polarized responses—some community members found the concept entertaining and innovative, while others considered it an awkward departure from traditional esports activities.
When planning cross-regional collaborations, organizations must carefully balance innovation with audience expectations. The mixed reception to the speed dating component highlights the challenges of introducing novel engagement formats to established fan bases accustomed to conventional esports experiences.
While celebrating their unique partnership through merchandise and unconventional events, both teams confronted challenging competitive situations in their respective Worlds groups, each holding third-place positions with 1-2 records.
Fnatic secured a narrow victory against Group C’s perceived underdog, Clutch Gaming, but demonstrated significant struggles against powerhouse opponents SK Telecom T1 and Royal Never Give Up. Cloud9 mirrored this narrative in Group A, falling to G2 Esports and Griffin while claiming a hard-fought win against Hong Kong Attitude from the LMS region.
The timing of their collaborative efforts coincides with a critical juncture in both teams’ World Championship campaigns. With three remaining matches against their group opponents over the coming days, their advancement to the knockout stage remains uncertain, adding dramatic tension to their off-stage partnership narrative.
This convergence of competitive pressure and collaborative celebration creates a compelling storyline for esports enthusiasts. The FNC9 initiative demonstrates how organizations can maintain supportive relationships while competing at the highest level—a dynamic rarely seen in traditional sports rivalries.
Action Checklist
- Analyze potential partnership organizations with complementary fan bases and values
- Develop integrated branding strategy that respects both organizations’ identities
- Coordinate product development and distribution channels for maximum accessibility
- Plan complementary engagement events that align with audience expectations
- Monitor fan reception and adjust future collaboration strategies accordingly
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Fnatic and Cloud9 introduced new FNC9 collaborative collection Exploring the unique FNC9 collaboration between esports rivals Fnatic and Cloud9 during Worlds 2019