Gentle Mates Joins 2026 VCT EMEA Season

Written by: Wei

07/10/2025

VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA has confirmed Gentle Mates as the newest addition to the league for the 2026 season, filling the vacant slot.

The selection followed a competitive application process, with ten teams from the VALORANT Esports EMEA ecosystem invited to participate. Nine teams submitted responses.

Gentle Mates Take KOI's Spot

The process mirrored the system used during the league's inception when ten teams were originally selected as VCT EMEA partners.

All applicants submitted formal applications evaluated on organisational goals for the 2026 season, collaboration and strategic alignment, operational readiness, competitive plans and player support systems, and community engagement.

Gentle Mates achieved the highest overall score and has been offered a one-year contract through the end of 2026, when all VCT EMEA partnerships conclude.

Following VALORANT Ascension EMEA later this year, two additional teams will be promoted into VCT EMEA, maintaining a 12-team league for the 2026 season.

All teams and their fans are expected to return to the Riot Games Arena for the start of the 2026 VCT EMEA season early next year.