VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff schedule, teams, new format, more

VCT 2026 Kickoff brings back top-tier VALORANT action this winter from January 2026, featuring 12 teams per region battling it out under a brand-new triple elimination format. If you’re interested in everything that’s happening in the EMEA region, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s everything you need to know about the VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff schedule, standings, teams, new format, and a lot more.

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All teams in VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff

VCT EMEA 2024 STAGE 2 Grand Finals at the Riot Games Arena on July 20, 2024, in Berlin, Germany (Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games)

A total of 12 teams battle for three qualification spots to the Masters Santiago, with 10 partnered teams and two Ascension winners. There are some returning faces in the VALORANT scene, like Gentle Mates, as well as longstanding partners like Fnatic and Team Liquid.

Here are all the participating EMEA teams:

1. Fnatic
2. Team Liquid
3. GIANTX
4. Team Heretics
5. KOI
6. Team Vitality
7. BBL Esports
8. Gentle Mates
9. Natus Vincere
10. Karmine Corp
11. PCIFIC Esports (Ascension qualifier)
12. ULF Esports (Ascension qualifier)

Fnatic, Team Liquid, GIANTX, and Team Heretics, being the four Champions 2025 representatives, start the tournament in the upper bracket quarterfinals.

New triple elimination format

A bit more complicated, but a lot more exciting. Image via Riot Games

The biggest change for 2026 is the introduction of a triple elimination format. This gives every roster more chances to stay alive in the event. Teams start in the upper bracket and drop to the middle bracket, then to the lower bracket after each loss. Three losses lead to elimination.

Unlike past seasons, there will be three separate finals: upper, middle, and lower, instead of a single grand finals. The winner of each finals earns a spot at the Masters Santiago later in February. Each finals is a best-of-five (BO5) matchup, while all other series will follow best-of-three (BO3) rules.

Crucial Championship Points will also be up for grabs during Kickoff. Winner gets 4 points, 2nd place secures 3 points, 3rd place gets 2 points, and 4th place gets 1 point. At the end of the VCT EMEA season, the top two teams with the most Championship points will qualify for VALORANT Champions Shanghai.

How to watch VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff

You can catch all the action live from VCT EMEA’s official Twitch and YouTube channels. Apart from them, you can tune into official VCT “co-streams” hosted by players, streamers, or content creators. If you want to watch the event live on stage at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, tickets are still available.

VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff schedule

Four weeks of action. Image via Riot Games

The VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff starts on Jan. 20 and ends on Feb. 15, 2026. The opening week kicks off with eight matches across the first two upper bracket rounds. In week two, middle bracket battles and upper semifinals take place.

Teams dropping to the lower bracket will fight throughout week three, with the middle bracket semifinals. Week four is reserved for the remaining rounds and bracket finals, featuring back-to-back best-of-five series across the upper, middle, and lower bracket finals.

Jan. 20 (Upper bracket round one)

• 4pm GMT: NAVI 2-0 Karmine Corp
• 7pm GMT: FUT Esports 0-2 Gentle Mates

Jan. 21 (Upper bracket round one)

• 4pm GMT: PCIFIC Esports vs BBL Esports
• 7pm GMT: ULF Esports vs Team Vitality

Jan. 22 (Upper bracket quarterfinals)

• 4pm GMT: NAVI vs Team Heretics
• 7 pm GMT: Gentle Mates vs GIANTX

Jan. 23 (Upper bracket quarterfinals)

• 4pm GMT: TBD vs Fnatic
• 7 pm GMT: TBD vs Team Liquid

Scores and the schedule will be updated as the event progresses.

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