Danish Fortnite star Marius “MariusCOW” Wendt has officially renewed his contract with Gentle Mates, confirming his spot with the French esports organisation for the upcoming 2026 Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) season.
Gentle Mates Keep Their European Champion
Announced on October 16th, Gentle Mates confirmed that their “European Champion remains”, continuing their strong Fortnite legacy with MariusCOW at the forefront. The renewal comes as the organisation solidifies its Fortnite roster heading into a fresh season filled with format changes and major events.
MariusCOW’s impressive 2025 run with teammate Vanya “Vanyak3k” Sakach saw the duo clinch victory at Europe’s Major 2 Grand Final and finish second at the FNCS 2025 Global Championship. Both players have now committed to the team for another year, ensuring stability in one of Europe’s most consistent Fortnite rosters.
Building Toward FNCS 2026
Epic Games has already revealed big updates for next year’s FNCS, with the competition switching back to the Duos format, last used in 2023 and 2024. Alongside this change, four international LAN events are set to take place throughout 2026, including a new Road Elite Series event where players can respawn if their teammate remains alive, a format twist designed to increase excitement and strategy.
With these changes on the horizon, Gentle Mates’ decision to retain their star duo looks like a calculated move to maintain synergy and adapt quickly to the returning Duos system.
A Streamlined But Strong Roster
Following the conclusion of the 2025 FNCS season, Gentle Mates made major roster adjustments, parting ways with their coach and five players to refine their line-up from ten down to five. Despite the cuts, the organisation continues to boast an elite mix of European and South American talent, with MariusCOW now standing as one of the cornerstones of its future.
Gentle Mates Expand Beyond Fortnite
While Fortnite remains a key focus, Gentle Mates has also been branching out into other titles. In August 2025, the team entered the Counter-Strike 2 scene by signing the former Iberian Soul roster. The squad has since climbed to 23rd in the October Valve Regional Standings (VRS) and narrowly missed qualification for the StarLadder Budapest Major after an impressive ESL Pro League Season 22 showing.
As Gentle Mates look to 2026, their renewed confidence in MariusCOW represents more than just a player signing, it’s a commitment to their winning formula and a clear signal that they’re aiming for another dominant year in competitive Fortnite.