Shopify Rebellion Black has announced its full roster for the 2027 VCT Americas Open Qualifier. The team is headlined by the former M80 core of Marc-Andre "NiSMO" Tayar, Mirel "Kyu" Braco Hrustemovic and Boni. Veteran Alexander "zander" Dituri and Smoke also return to round out the lineup.
The roster is now Smoke, zander, Kyu, NiSMO and Boni. Angelika "lyka" Alda is the manager, Loic "effys" Sauvageau is head coach and Chad "oderus" Miller is assistant coach.
The five future teammates faced each other twice in North American Challengers Stage 3. M80 beat Shopify Rebellion Black 2-1 in the Swiss Stage and then 3-1 in the grand final to win the title. After that win, M80 came close to reaching the VCT Americas Stage 2 playoffs, but 0-2 Play-In losses to ENVY and G2 Esports ended their 2026 season.
Shopify Rebellion Black also had a successful Challengers campaign, finishing runner-up in all three stages. The team came close to qualifying for VCT Americas Stage 2 through the LCQ, but lost the grand final 3-2 to 2Game Esports.
After the 2026 campaign, zander and Smoke were moved to inactive status, but returned after the departures of NaturE, satellite and exa were announced. Shopify Rebellion Black also received a direct invitation to the North America Qualifier Playoffs, bypassing the two opening Open Qualifiers. The team begins its qualification run in the Swiss Stage on November 20.