Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports EMEA at Riot Video games, has given a public replace on the brand new VCT companion staff that’s anticipated to affix within the 2026 season.
The Rioter confirmed an invite-only choice course of is presently underway, outlining the method and the standards being utilized.
“VCT EMEA followers, I need to take a second to share an replace on the open slot in our league,” stated Ringland in his X publish.
“Per week in the past, we launched an invite-only choice course of to seek out our subsequent companion staff. We invited ten orgs with robust ties to VALORANT Esports in EMEA – together with our outgoing customer groups and Ascension groups – to take part within the choice course of.”
Ringland added that Riot will adhere to the identical framework used for the unique companion staff choice course of, wanting not solely on the aggressive outcomes but in addition “fandom, neighborhood engagement, advertising and marketing capabilities, and general operational readiness.” The Rioter additionally confirmed the chosen staff shall be revealed subsequent month.
“Our objective is to seek out an organisation that may assist develop the game and have a significant impression on the ecosystem subsequent 12 months. We’ve acquired a lot of robust proposals and shall be working via them over the approaching weeks,” Ringland continued.
A New EMEA VCT Accomplice Crew Will Exchange KOI
Regardless of the staff’s willingness to supply alternate options to make up for the shortcomings, Riot made the sudden resolution to terminate the collaboration with Ibai’s staff.
Alongside KOI’s vacated slot, Apeks and Gentlemates have misplaced VCT visitor slots after failing to qualify for VCT Champions 2025 and recording poor outcomes all year long. Except both of the groups is chosen as a companion staff, each side shall be relegated to tier two for the 2026 season. Consequently, two new Ascension groups may also be part of the VCT EMEA line-up.
