VCT EMEA Stage 2 Begins July 13 — The Road to Champions Shanghai Starts
VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA has confirmed July 13 at 6PM CEST as the date for its Stage 2 kickoff, with the official VCT account amplifying the announcement on July 10 – locking in the first key scheduling marker for the final regional split before Champions Shanghai 2026.
The announcement came via the @vct_emea account, retweeted by the main @ValorantEsports handle, with the post reading simply: “Destination. 13/07. 6PM CEST.” The brevity is typical of Riot’s teaser cadence, and the July 13 date most likely marks a kickoff broadcast or opening ceremony, with league play expected to follow in the days immediately after.
Stage 2 Stakes and Format
Stage 2 is the last regional split feeding into Champions qualification, making every result carry direct seeding weight. According to reporting on Riot’s revamped Stage 2 format, teams move through group-stage round-robins into a play-in bracket, with the top two per group advancing directly to playoffs and lower seeds fighting through play-ins for the remaining spots.
The Champions points allocation makes Stage 2 the most consequential domestic stretch of the year. Teams on the bubble after Masters London will be tracking every point from opening week onward.
What Comes Next
With the July 13 kickoff confirmed, attention turns to roster construction and any last-minute moves before league play begins across all four regions. Champions Shanghai runs September 24 – October 18 – Stage 2 is the final on-ramp.
