VCT EMEA Stage 2 Set to Begin as Teams Fight for Champions Paris Spots

The electrifying atmosphere of VALORANT Masters Toronto may be winding down, but competitive action continues as VCT EMEA Stage 2 kicks off on Wednesday, July 16.

This marks a crucial turning point in the season, with teams now competing for the Stage 2 title and one of four available spots at VALORANT Champions Paris 2025.

Fnatic, the reigning Stage 1 champions, return with hopes of claiming back-to-back regional victories. Team Heretics, who fell just short in the Stage 1 finals, are looking to settle the score.

VCT EMEA Stage 2 Format

Stage 2 will follow the same structure as Stage 1, but with added pressure. Teams are not only competing for a shot at Champions Paris, but also fighting to keep their 2025 season alive.

Relegation is now a real risk for squads like Gentle Mates and Apeks.

The 12 teams are divided into two groups, each playing a single round-robin where matches are best-of-three. Only the top four from each group will move on to the Playoffs. Teams finishing fifth or sixth will be eliminated from championship contention.

The Playoffs will use a modified double-elimination format:

• #1 seeds from each group go straight to Round 2 of the Upper Bracket.

• #2 and #3 seeds face off in the Opening Round of the Upper Bracket.

• #4 seeds begin in the Lower Bracket, with no second chances—they’ll be fighting to survive from the first match.

All matches will be best-of-three until the Lower Final and Grand Final, which will be best-of-five showdowns to determine the Stage 2 champion and the first two EMEA teams heading to Paris.

VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 Qualification

Champions Paris is the biggest event on the VALORANT calendar, and this year it's even more significant for EMEA squads as it takes place on their home turf.

The top two teams from the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs will qualify directly for Champions Paris. The final two EMEA spots will be decided by Championship Points, which are based on results from the entire 2025 season.

Fnatic currently leads the standings, but the competition remains tight, making this final stretch critical.

Key Dates to Watch

• Group Stage: July 16 – August 15 (five weeks of back-to-back matches)

• Playoffs: August 21 – 24

• Final Weekend:

  • August 29: Upper Bracket Final + Lower Bracket Semi-Final

  • August 30: Lower Bracket Final

  • August 31: Grand Final

Updated Map Pool

The Stage 2 map pool includes:

• New: Corrode (debuting this stage)

• Returning: Bind

• Remaining: Lotus, Icebox, Haven, Ascent, Sunset

• Removed: Pearl, Split

Tickets & Live Audience

Fans can attend live matches at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin on Thursdays and Fridays during the regular season.

• Tickets for the first three weeks are available starting Thursday, June 26 at 18:00 CEST.

• Tickets for future weeks will go on sale every Wednesday at 18:00 CEST.

For more info and to secure seats, visit the official Riot Games ticket page.