Ninjas in Pyjamas reclaim Street Fighter League Europe — but the big questions remain

Why this matters: NiP wins SFL Pro‑Europe and takes Europe to Worlds

From Nov. 22-29 the Street Fighter League Pro‑Europe 2025 playoffs wrapped up, and Ninjas in Pyjamas walked away with the title for a second time – plus a qualification slot for the SFL World Championship and a share of a $100,000 prize pool. That’s the short version, but the part that really caught my attention was the timing: Street Fighter 6’s competitive ecosystem is still reshaping itself after launch patches and roster moves, and NiP taking Europe’s slot tells us a lot about regional depth and what to expect when the US and Japan editions reach their finales.

• Key takeaway: Ninjas in Pyjamas are back on top of Europe and will carry the region into Worlds.
• Prize and prestige: a portion of a $100,000 pool went to the winners – useful money, but the distribution matters more than the headline.
• Broader context: the US and Japanese SFL circuits are still running; Europe’s result is one piece of the global puzzle.

Breaking down the win – what it really means for players and orgs

On paper, “winning a league” is straightforward. In practice, team leagues in fighting games are complicated beasts: they test depth (do you have three reliable players?), coaching and preparation, and the ability to adapt to meta shifts between patches. Ninjas in Pyjamas claiming the Pro‑Europe crown a second time suggests their structure is stable — they’ve probably got consistent practice partners, decent coaching, and the org support to travel and perform when it matters.

This caught my attention because Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 has been through a handful of balance patches and character revelations that upend competitive scenes quickly. A team that adapts and wins twice isn’t just lucky — they’re likely reading the meta and preparing for it better than rivals. That matters to aspiring pros eyeing team offers and to orgs wondering if investing in a European SFL roster is worth it.

Why the $100,000 figure isn’t the whole story

The press headline — “$100,000 prize pool” — gets attention, but it’s not the end of the conversation. How that money is split between teams, staff, and potential travel or appearance fees changes the story for players. If the $100k is the total across multiple regions or stages, the actual take-home for individual players might be modest. Gamers and pro players should ask: is this a sustainable career boost or a one-off windfall?

What Europe’s win means heading into the World Championship

Ninjas in Pyjamas now carry Europe’s flag when SFL Worlds rolls around. That sets up the narrative everyone loves: EU pride versus traditional heavyweights from Japan and the US. But translating a regional win into global success is a different challenge. The US and Japan editions continuing means meta knowledge and playstyles will keep evolving — NiP will need to scout these regions and be ready for character choices or team strategies they didn’t face during the Paris playoffs.

Skeptic’s corner: what I want to see next

Good result, but I have questions. How transparent will Capcom and the SFL organizers be about prize splits and qualification mechanics? Will NiP’s roster stay intact through Worlds, or will we see last‑minute substitutions? And how will balance patches between now and the global finals reshape which characters and playstyles are viable? These details determine whether NiP’s victory is a true statement of dominance or a snapshot in a very fluid competitive season.

What gamers should watch for

• Roster announcements from Ninjas in Pyjamas — stability matters more than flashy signings.
• Patches to Street Fighter 6 that could nerf or buff core tournament characters.
• How the US and Japan SFL winners stack up — cross‑region matchups are where the meta gets stress‑tested.

Ultimately, NiP’s win is good news for European Street Fighter fans: it proves the region can produce repeat champions and gives Europe a real shot at a strong showing at Worlds. Just don’t mistake a regional trophy photo for guaranteed global supremacy — the next stage will be where we separate solid preparation from hype.

TL;DR

Ninjas in Pyjamas won Street Fighter League Pro‑Europe (Nov 22-29), earned a place at the SFL World Championship and claimed part of a $100k prize pool. It’s a meaningful win for EU competitive credibility — but questions about prize distribution, roster stability, and upcoming patches mean the real test is still to come at Worlds.