Disclaimer: Predictions are based on opinion and should not be construed as betting advice. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Official rankings and odds are accurate as of January 12, 2026, and are subject to change at any time.

Brimming with the promise of nonstop action, the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) regional Kickoff events mark the start of the 2026 season. The VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff tournament heads to Berlin, featuring a dozen elite teams and nearly a month of high-stakes competition.

As the hype builds, we share our VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff predictions, backed by expert power rankings to set the stage for what’s shaping up to be a blockbuster opener.

VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff Power Rankings

It’s not about a prize pool at VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff. Instead, teams are competing fiercely for three spots to represent the region at VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026. 

The 12 best teams are fighting in a triple-elimination bracket—with VCT EMEA points on the line (top four), representing the first step towards a Champions 2026 spot. 

To create our power rankings, we conducted thorough research on various factors, including matchup histories, Global Power Rankings (GPR), and roster changes. We also considered the latest betting odds, which reflect bookmakers’ confidence in an outcome. 

To inform our predictions, we’ve used decimal odds (Stake x Odds = Payout), but we also provide American odds and the implied probability for your consideration. 

FNATIC (#1)

With 2nd-place finishes at Esports World Cup, Masters Toronto, and Champions Paris in 2025, FNATIC has demonstrated tremendous consistency and incredible skill. It’s no wonder they’re ranked #1 in EMEA and #2 globally.

One major roster change for FNATIC was the transition of legendary Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov to Team Vitality. In Chronicle’s place, French player Sylvain “Veqaj” Pattyn joined the active roster on November 9, 2025. 

Despite the significant roster change, odds of 3.25 (+225) suggest that FNATIC are the favorites at VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff, with an implied probability of 30.77% to claim the crown.

Team Heretics (#2)

Esports World Cup 2025 champions, Team Heretics (ranked #2 in the region and #7 globally), is one of our top picks to qualify for Masters Santiago. During the offseason, we saw Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukaševičius emerge from underneath his brother’s wing and move to Team Liquid.

MiniBoo was replaced with Berkcan “ComeBack” Şentürk. No team should ever underestimate the deadly Turkish duo of Mert “Wo0t” Alkan and Enes “RieNs” Ecirli. If ComeBack can acclimate to Team Heretics quickly, the squad poses a real danger to FNATIC or any other team in attendance.

According to the latest bookmaker odds of 4.00 (+300), Team Heretics has a 25% chance of claiming the top spot at VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff. 

Team Vitality (#3)

The legendary Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov reunites with Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev on the new Team Vitality roster, as the organization proclaimed they “won” the offseason with this huge signing. 

Considering the powerhouse roster built in the offseason, Team Vitality is our pick to claim the final EMEA spot at Masters Santiago. Odds of 4.50 (+350) align with our sentiment, implying a 22.22% probability of Team Vitality securing a podium finish at VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff. 

It’s clear that Team Vitality is currently undervalued, with an official world ranking of #30 and #7 in EMEA. Notably, the VALORANT GPR considers past results at international events rather than the current roster’s prowess.

Note: Bartosz “UNFAKE” Bernacki was announced as a “6th man” for VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff.

GIANTX (#4)

GIANTX delivered a solid performance at VALORANT Champions Paris (7th place) and advanced to the Grand Final of VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 2. They are currently ranked #4 in EMEA and #13 globally.

What makes us rank GIANTX higher than Team Liquid is that they are one of the few squads that made no roster changes in the offseason. The players have stuck together and continue to improve.

Odds of 7.50 (+650) make GIANTX the team with the fourth-highest chance of winning the tournament at 13.33%, inspiring this VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff betting prediction.

Team Liquid (#5)

Ranked #3 in EMEA and #10 globally, Team Liquid is a strong contender to claim a spot at VALORANT Masters Santiago. IGL Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin often leads by example, as evident by his MVP performance during the VCT 2025 Stage 2 Grand Final. 

Team Liquid added ex-Team Heretics superstar, Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukaševičius, alongside Semyon “purp0” Borchev and Wayne “wayne” Chang, during the offseason, creating a roster that is “stronger, sharper, hungrier.”

Odds of 14.00 (+1300) indicate there’s a 7.14% chance of Team Liquid claiming the top spot at VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff. We predict they’ll do well, but falter before the finish line.

BBL Esports (#6)

In 2025, the Turkish powerhouse roster of BBL Esports showed promise, finishing in a highly respectable 3rd in EMEA Stage 2. In the offseason, the organization announced its new roster, calling it the “Golden Generation.”

Led by Eren “Rosé” Erzan, BBL Esports is currently ranked #20 globally, and #5 in EMEA. If the squad manages to make it to a podium finish at VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff, they’ll represent the organization in its first Masters event. 

According to odds of 17.00 (+1600), there’s a 5.88% chance that BBL Esports will shock the favorites and win the entire tournament.

Remaining VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff Betting Predictions

Below are the bottom six teams in our VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff power rankings, including their chances of making it to the Upper Bracket Final, as implied by the latest available odds.

• Gentle Mates (#7) – 5.26%
• Karmine Corp (#8) – 5.26%
• NAVI (#9) – 4.76%
• FUT Esports (#10) – 2.94%
• PCIFIC Esports (#11) – 1.32%
• ULF Esports (#12) – 0.99%

Given the number of roster changes during the offseason, the first major events could be highly volatile. After all, creating VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff predictions is not an exact science.

FAQs

Who Are The Favorites To Win VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff?

Odds of 3.25 (+225) indicate an implied probability of 30.77% that FNATIC will win VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff, making them our favorites.

How Are These VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff Power Rankings Decided?

To create our VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff power rankings, we conducted thorough research using the latest data, including matchup histories, official rankings, roster changes, player/team stats, and bookmaker odds.

Where Can I Watch The VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff?

You can watch all the VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff action live via the official VALORANT EMEA
Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok channels.

What Is The VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff Schedule?

VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff is scheduled to run from January 20 to February 15, 2026, taking place on LAN at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, Germany.

Who Are The VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff Underdogs?

ULF Esports are the clear underdogs, with odds indicating there’s only a 0.99% chance of them winning VCT 2026 EMEA Kickoff.

References

1. FNATIC on X (X)
2. Heretics Valorant on X (X)
3. Team Vitality VALORANT on X: “THE DUO HAS ARRIVED…” (X)
4. Team Vitality VALORANT on X: “VITALITY CHRONICLE IS REAL…” (X)
5. Team Vitality VALORANT on X: “6th man is…” (X)
6. Team Liquid VALORANT on X: “We are proud to announce…” (X)
7. BBL on X (X)
8. VALORANT_EMEA (Twitch)
9. VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (YouTube)
10. VCT EMEA (@valorantesportsemea) is LIVE (TikTok)