With the start of the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 being just around the corner, we have prepared you a guide with all of the information you need to know of the competition.
Keep on reading to know more about the future of EMEA and the teams who will represent the region in Toronto, Canada!
Format and location
The VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 will be played in the Riot Games Arena located in Berlin, Germany.
First, the 12 teams are split into two groups of six rosters each as they will face off against in a group stage. Each group will be follow a single-round robin system with BO3 matches. The best four teams from each group will qualify for the playoffs.
However, group stage seeding is important. The top seed from each group will qualify for the Upper Bracket Semifinals, seeds two and three from each group will qualify for the Upper Bracket Round 1 and, finally, seeds four from each group will qualify for the Lower Bracket Round 1.
Just like in the group stage, playoff matches will follow a BO3 format. However, the Lower Bracket Final and the Grand Final will follow a BO5 format.
Masters Toronto and EMEA Points distribution
The top three teams in the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 will qualify for the Valorant Masters Toronto. Additionally, the top four teams will be given EMEA Points. Here's how these will be distributed:
- 1st: 5 EMEA Points
- 2nd: 3 EMEA Points
- 3rd: 2 EMEA Points
- 4th: 1 EMEA Point
Teams who qualify for the Valorant Masters Toronto will guarantee themselves USD$15,000.
Dates
The VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 will kick off on March 26 and will conclude on May 18. Here's a more detailed look at the length of the group stage and the playoffs:
- Group Stage: March 26 to April 25
- Playoffs: May 8 to May 18
Groups
The VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 teams have been put into two groups called Alpha and Omega. Here's a look at both groups:
Group Alpha
Group Alpha includes the following teams:
- Team Vitality
- Apeks
- Natus Vincere
- GIANTX
- Fnatic
- Team Heretics
Despite a harsh end to their Valorant Masters Bangkok run, the VCT 2025 EMEA Kickoff champions Team Vitality are the favorites to take the region's top seed in Stage 1 and qualify for Toronto, Canada.
However, two teams in particular could make Team Vitality's life a bit more complicated than expected in Group Alpha: Team Heretics and Fnatic. While the Valorant Champions 2024 grand finalists were one match away from qualifying for Bangkok, Thailand, Fnatic's Kickoff result doesn't do justice to the team's past individual performances. If either of the two rosters get back on track, the Bees will struggle to get Group Alpha's top seed.
While the previously mentioned teams are the favorites to lock the first three Group Alpha seeds, GIANTX, Natus Vincere, and Apeks are expected to fight for the fourth seed; the final spot in the group that awards a playoff position. All eyes will be set on Apeks' progression throughout the stage, a roster that includes the two-time Valorant Changers champion Ava "florescent" Eugene and recently signed Peter "Governor" No from TALON.
Group Omega
Group Omega includes the following teams:
- Team Liquid
- Movistar KOI
- Karmine Corp
- Gentle Mates
- BBL Esports
- FUT Esports
After an impressive Lower Bracket run in the VCT 2025 EMEA Kickoff and putting Team Vitality between a rock and a hard place in the grand final, Team Liquid made its international return in Bangkok, Thailand, last month.
Unfortunately for the Blue Cavalry, defeats against EDward Gaming and G2 Esports got them group staged. Following the team's result in Thailand, the roster decided to part ways with Maksymilian "kamyk" Rychlewski and replaced him with the signing of the Latvian rookie Maikls "Serial" Zdanovs.
While Team Liquid are the favorites to top the Group Omega standings, it's fair to say the job won't be easy with Karmine Corp's super team in the mix, as well as the Turkish sides FUT Esports and BBL Esports.
Although the French powerhouse didn't have the expected start to the season earlier this year, the roster led by the world champion Matias "Saadhak" Delipetro is expected to get back on track in this stage. Meanwhile, the Turkish sides have the potential to put any roster in serious trouble.
Last but not least, Movistar KOI and Gentle Mates are the favorites to get group staged. Despite the odds not being favorable for the European mixes, fans shouldn't close their minds to seeing an upset being pulled off.
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