VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff: Schedule, Format, Teams & How To Watch
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff opens the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour, bringing together one of the most successful forces to the global stage. With only three Masters Santiago spots available, this Kickoff carries added weight, as EMEA stands as the only region to have won Masters titles three times.
The expanded triple-elimination format adds more games, offers second chances, and keeps teams under pressure throughout the event. Here’s a full look at the tournament, including schedule, format, participating teams, and how to watch.
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff Dates & Location
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff will run from January 20 to February 15, 2026, and will be held at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, Germany.
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff Schedule
The EMEA Kickoff runs for four straight weeks, building towards a high-pressure final weekend. During the first three weeks, two matches are played each day from Tuesday to Friday. The tournament concludes with the bracket finals over the weekend.
| Week | Match Date | Match (M) | Games | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday, January 20 Wednesday, January 21 Thursday, January 22 Friday, January 23 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | NAVI vs. Karmine Corp FUT Esports vs. Gentle Mates PCIFIC Esports vs. BBL Esports ULF Esports vs. Team Vitality Team Heretics vs. Winner of M1 GIANTX vs Winner of M2 FNATIC vs. the Winner of M3 Team Liquid vs. the Winner of M4 | Upper Round 1 Upper Round 2 |
| 2 | Tuesday, January 27 Wednesday, January 28 Thursday, January 29 Friday, January 30 | 9 10 11 12 19 20 13 14 | TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD | Middle Round 1 Upper Round 3 Middle Round 2 |
| 3 | Tuesday, February 3 Wednesday, February 4 Thursday, February 5 Friday, February 6 | 15 16 21 22 17 18 23 24 | TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD | Lower Round 1 Middle Round 3 Lower Round 2 Lower Round 3 |
| 4 | Thursday, February 12 Friday, February 13 Saturday, February 14 Sunday, February 15 | 27 26 25 28 29 30 | TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD | Lower Round 4 Middle Round 4 Upper Finals Round 4 Lower Round 5 Middle Finals Round 5 Lower Finals 6 |
Note: You can follow the official VCT EMEA account on X for official fixtures and updates.
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff Format
The VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff will debut with a new triple-elimination format, matching the structure used in the Americas leagues.
Twelve VALORANT teams will compete across three brackets: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The top four teams from VALORANT Champions Paris: FNATIC, Team Liquid, GIANTX, and Team Heretics, have earned a direct pass into the Upper Bracket Round 2.
In Week 1 (January 20–23), eight teams will start in Upper Bracket Round 1, followed by four Round 2 matches featuring the Champions-qualified teams.
Week 2 (January 27–30) will shift its focus to the Middle Bracket and the Upper Bracket Semifinals. Week 3 (February 3–6) will see teams battle for survival in the Lower Bracket. Week 4 (February 12–15) heightens the excitement and closes the Kickoff with all three bracket finals.
All matches will be played as best-of-three series, except for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Finals, which are decided in best-of-five matches. This format change adds an extra VALORANT Masters Santiago spot, expanding the Masters 1 lineup to a total of twelve teams.
Prize Pool Distribution
While no prize money is allocated for VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff, teams will earn crucial Championship Points that can contribute toward qualification for VALORANT Champions later in the season.
| Place | Championship Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 4 |
| 2nd | 3 |
| 3rd | 2 |
| 4th | 1 |
| 5th–12th | 0 |
Teams Competing At VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff
The Kickoff includes ten partnered teams alongside Ascension 2025 qualifiers, completing a twelve-team EMEA lineup.
- BBL Esports
- FNATIC
- FUT Esports
- GIANTX
- Gentle Mates
- Karmine Corp
- Natus Vincere
- Team Heretics
- Team Liquid
- Team Vitality
- PCIFIC Esports (Ascension 2025)
- ULF Esports (Ascension 2025)
How To Watch VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff will be streamed on VALORANT EMEA’s official Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok channels. You can watch the broadcast in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
Tickets
If you want to watch the event in person, tickets for VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff are available on the tournament organizer’s official website.
Ticket prices range from €10 to €20. For the first three weeks, tickets will only be available on Thursdays and Fridays. However, you can enjoy the event every single day during the fourth week.
FAQs
When and where will the VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff take place?
VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff kicks off from January 20 to February 15, 2026, at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Has the VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff format changed?
Yes. VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff adopts a triple-elimination format instead of double-elimination, allowing teams more chances to stay in the fight.
How to buy tickets for the VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff event live?
Tickets for VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff can be purchased on the official VALORANT Esports website and cost between €10 and €20.
What are the strong teams to watch during the VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff?
According to VALORANT Global Power Rankings (GPR) on December 17, 2025, the three strongest teams to watch are FNATIC (#2), Team Heretics (#7), and Team Liquid (#10).
How can I watch the VCT 2026: EMEA Kickoff live online?
You can catch all the action on the VALORANT EMEA official Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok channels.
References
- VALORANT Esports EMEA (@valesports_emea) (X)
- valorant_emea (Twitch)
- VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (YouTube)
- VCT EMEA (@valorantesportsemea) is LIVE (TikTok)
- Veranstaltungen von Riot Games – VCT EMEA | vivenu (Riot Games)
