Valorant
The VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs begin on August 20 and conclude with the Grand Final on August 30. Eight teams remain in contention for the regional title, a share of the $250,000 prize pool, and, most importantly, two qualification spots for VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai.
This year's event also marks the first time the VCT EMEA Finals will be held outside Berlin, with the final weekend taking place in Badalona, Spain after Riot adjusted its original plans for Madrid.
VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs Schedule
Upper Bracket
Round 1
Match | Date |
|---|---|
Team Vitality vs Enterprise Esports | August 20 - 18:00 EEST |
Team Liquid vs FUT Esports | August 20 - 21:00 EEST |
Upper Bracket Semifinals
Match | Date |
|---|---|
Karmine Corp vs Winner of Vitality/Enterprise | August 21 - 18:00 EEST |
BBL Esports vs Winner of Liquid/FUT | August 21 - 21:00 EEST |
Upper Bracket Final
Match | Date |
|---|---|
TBD vs TBD | August 28 - 17:00 EEST |
Lower Bracket
Round 1
Match | Date |
|---|---|
TBD vs Eintracht Frankfurt | August 22 - 17:00 EEST |
TBD vs Fire Flux Esports | August 22 - 20:00 EEST |
Quarterfinals
Match | Date |
|---|---|
TBD vs TBD | August 23 - 17:00 EEST |
TBD vs TBD | August 23 - 20:00 EEST |
Lower Bracket Semifinal
Match | Date |
|---|---|
TBD vs TBD | August 28 - 18:00 EEST |
Lower Bracket Final (Bo5)
Match | Date |
|---|---|
TBD vs TBD | August 29 - 16:00 EEST |
Grand Final (Bo5)
Match | Date |
|---|---|
TBD vs TBD | August 30 - 18:00 EEST |
Qualified Teams
The eight teams competing in the playoffs are:
Team Vitality
Team Liquid
Karmine Corp
BBL Esports
FUT Esports
Enterprise Esports
Eintracht Frankfurt
Fire Flux Esports
Only the top two teams will qualify for VALORANT Champions 2026, making every playoff series crucial.
Tournament Format
The VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 2 featured three stages.
Group Stage
July 15 - August 2
Two single round-robin groups
Six teams per group
All matches played as Bo3
Top two teams advanced directly to the Playoffs
Remaining teams entered the Play-In stage
Play-In
August 6 - August 16
12-team double-elimination bracket
Eight VCT EMEA teams
Four Regional Challengers teams
All matches played as Bo3
Four teams qualified for the Playoffs
Playoffs
August 20 - August 30
Eight-team double-elimination bracket
All matches are Bo3
Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final are Bo5
Top two teams qualify for VALORANT Champions 2026
Prize Pool
The tournament features a $250,000 USD prize pool.
Place | Prize | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
1st | $100,000 | VALORANT Champions 2026 |
2nd | $65,000 | VALORANT Champions 2026 |
3rd | $40,000 | — |
4th | $25,000 | — |
What's at Stake?
Beyond the prize money, the EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs represent the final opportunity for teams to secure a place at VALORANT Champions 2026, the biggest tournament of the year.
Favorites such as Team Vitality, Karmine Corp, BBL Esports, and Team Liquid enter the playoffs with championship aspirations, while surprise contenders like Enterprise Esports and Fire Flux Esports will look to continue their Cinderella runs.
With only two Champions spots available, every series could determine a team's entire season.
