VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff: Triple Elimination Format
The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA 2026 Kickoff is underway at Berlin’s Riot Games Arena, where 12 elite teams are battling in a revolutionary triple elimination format for three coveted spots at Masters Santiago.
Running from January 20 to February 15, the event has already produced shock results, with seeded favorites like Fnatic, Team Liquid, Team Heretics, and GIANTX dropping early, leaving Natus Vincere, Gentle Mates, BBL Esports, and Team Vitality as the undefeated upper bracket forces.
Triple Elimination Format Ushers in a New Era
For 2026, Kickoff introduces a triple elimination bracket, giving every team three lives before elimination: starting in the upper bracket, dropping to middle after one loss, and lower after two. Unlike traditional formats, there are three separate grand finals one each for upper, middle, and lower brackets all best of five. The winner of each secures a Masters Santiago berth, while all other matches are best of three.
Championship Points are also on the line, 4 for 1st, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, and 1 for 4th overall with the season’s top two earners qualifying for VALORANT Champions Shanghai.
The 12 team field consists of 10 partnered organizations and two Ascension winners (PCIFIC Esports and ULF Esports).
Partnered Teams:
- Fnatic
- Team Liquid
- GIANTX
- Team Heretics
- KOI / FUT Esports
- Team Vitality
- BBL Esports
- Gentle Mates
- Natus Vincere
- Karmine Corp
Ascension Qualifiers:
- PCIFIC Esports
- ULF Esports
Current Bracket Highlights and Results
Week 1’s upper bracket rounds saw massive upsets:
- Jan 20: Natus Vincere vs. Karmine Corp 2-0
- Jan 20: FUT Esports vs. Gentle Mates 0-2
- Jan 21: PCIFIC Esports vs. BBL Esports 1-2
- Jan 21: ULF Esports vs. Team Vitality 0-2
- Jan 22: Natus Vincere vs. Team Heretics 2-1
- Jan 22: GIANTX vs. Gentle Mates 0-2
- Jan 23: Fnatic vs. BBL Esports 0-2
- Jan 23: Team Vitality vs. Team Liquid 2-1
Undefeated (2-0): Natus Vincere, Gentle Mates, BBL Esports, Team Vitality.Key Upcoming Matches (GMT):Jan 27: Team Liquid vs. Karmine Corp (11am), Fnatic vs. FUT Esports (2pm)
- Jan 28: GIANTX vs. PCIFIC Esports (11am), Team Heretics vs. ULF Esports (2pm)
- Jan 29 (Upper Semis): Gentle Mates vs. Natus Vincere (11am), Team Vitality vs. BBL Esports (2pm)
Week 4 (Feb 13-15) hosts the BO5 bracket finals.
How to Watch and Attend
Catch every match live on VCT EMEA’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, plus co-streams from top creators. Tickets for in-arena action in Berlin are still available via the official site (€10-€20).
Since: October 29, 2025
