NRG Signs Defending Champs Core for VCT Americas 2026
NRG Esports has officially completed its Valorant roster for the 2026 VCT Americas season, retaining the core of their valorant champions 2025 winning squad after parting ways with star rifler Sam “s0m” Oh.
The announcement caps a whirlwind offseason, with French controller “keiko” stepping in as the key addition to chase back to back international glory. As frontrunners in a stacked Americas league featuring Sentinels, 100 Thieves, and LOUD, NRG enters with high expectations amid a $2M+ prize pool and road to Champions 2026.
NRG Lineup Revealed
- Ethan: Ethan Arnold; IGL/Flex
- keiko: Georgio Sanassy; Controller
- mada: Adam Pampuch; Duelist
- skuba: Logan Jenkins; Sentinel
- brawk: Brock Somerhalder; Initiator
Head coach bonkar returns after guiding the 2025 miracle run, with analyst Potter and assistant Pho providing the edge. Reserves include Verno (flex) for injury cover, providing depth in a very busy season schedule. Bonkar’s running it back with eyes on a repeat at Masterrs.
Season Outlook
NRG enters VCT Americas 2026 as reigning VALORANT Champions 2025 winners the first North American squad to claim global gold since Sentinels’ dynasty. The season starts with Americas Kickoff (Jan 11–Feb 9), a triple elimination offline showdown feeding into Stage 1 (Mar 13–May 18) and Masters Santiago, VCT’s first Latin American international with 12 teams.
Since: October 29, 2025
