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A gamer from Regina has once again put Saskatchewan on the world stage, and this time, he’s brought home another world title.
Mathew “Royal2” Fiorante helped Shopify Rebellion win the Halo World Championship in Seattle last weekend, defeating powerhouse OpTic Gaming four games to one. The win marked Fiorante’s fourth career world title, making him one of Canada’s most decorated professional esports players.
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Fans pack the arena in Seattle as Shopify Rebellion is crowned 2025 Halo World Champion — the final world event of the Halo Infinite era. (Mathew Fiorante/Submitted)
The 29-year-old grew up in Regina and has been competing in Halo tournaments for more than a decade. He said seeing fans from home in the stands, some wearing purple face paint and waving Saskatchewan flags, made the victory even more meaningful.
“People had their beards painted purple for our team, there were signs saying ‘Royal four rings,’ ” Fiorante said. “It was honestly surreal seeing that kind of support, especially knowing there were people from Regina in the crowd.”
The championship also capped a historic moment for competitive Halo. The 2025 event was the final world championship under the Halo Infinite era, drawing the biggest audience in the tournament’s history.
Shopify Rebellion entered the event as favourites after winning multiple majors earlier in the season, and they delivered.
Fiorante credits his team’s chemistry and preparation for the dominant run.
“We practised every day and worked on things we knew other teams were good at,” he said. “When we finally faced them, everything just clicked.”
Members of Shopify Rebellion celebrate after winning the 2025 Halo World Championship in Seattle. Regina’s Mathew “Royal2” Fiorante helped lead the team to its fourth world title. (Mathew Fiorante/Submitted)
Alongside Fiorante, Preston “CyKul” Sipes stood out with a breakout performance, earning both Most Valuable Player and Best Support honours for 2025.
Longtime teammate Bradley “Frosty” Bergstrom, newcomer Wyatt “ItzTheLastShot” Gowan, and coach Nick “BesT MaN” Johnson rounded out the championship roster.
For Fiorante, the victory was about more than another trophy. It was a chance to see his younger teammates experience their first championship moment.
“I feel like a dad at their first ball game,” he laughed. “They’re only 20, but they played like they’d been here for 10.”
Fiorante plans to take a short break before returning to smaller tournaments next season. He said representing Saskatchewan and Canada remains one of the best parts of his career.
“There aren’t many Canadians in professional Halo,” he said. “So every time I play, I’m proud to carry that flag and to show that someone from Regina can make it to the top of the world.”
Shopify Rebellion’s championship also closed out a golden season for the Canadian organization, which finished first in multiple events throughout 2025.
For Fiorante, it’s another reminder that Saskatchewan talent can shine just as brightly in esports as in traditional sports arenas.
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