Worlds 2026 honors Cyanide with moment of silence

Worlds 2026 opened its Oct. 26 broadcast with a tribute to Lauri “Cyanide” Happonen, the Finnish jungler who won the first League of Legends World Championship with Fnatic in 2011. Happonen died earlier this year at age 31.

The tribute included a message about his influence on competitive League of Legends and a moment of silence. LoL Esports shared a video of the ceremony on X.

In the message, LoL Esports described Happonen as a Season One World Champion who “meant so much to the history of our sport.” The statement added that he “inspired an entire generation of junglers and helped build League into what it is today.”

The message also called Happonen “one of the kindest, warmest people in our scene” and said he had “charmed the hearts of so many League fans.”

Happonen’s Fnatic connection was also recognized during the tournament. Bilibili Gaming jungler Peng “Xun” Lixun selected the Fnatic Jarvan IV skin on Oct. 26. The skin commemorates Fnatic’s 2011 World Championship win, when Happonen played Jarvan IV in the jungle.

Fnatic published its own tribute on Oct. 26, recalling Happonen’s four years with the organization. The team also noted that he was 16 when Fnatic won the inaugural World Championship, making him the youngest player to win the tournament at the time.

“During his four-year spell at Fnatic, Cyanide made history as the youngest ever player to win Worlds at just 16,” the organization wrote. “He leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.” Fnatic extended its condolences to his family, friends and everyone who knew him.

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