Everything You Need to Know About VCT EMEA Stage 2 2025

Following Paper Rex’s historic victory at VCT Masters Toronto earlier this month, the climb to VCT Champions Paris begins now in earnest as we enter the latter half of the year. VCT EMEA Stage 2 is set to kick off on July 16th with the 12 teams battling for the coveted 4 spots to Champions. Who will it be? The Toronto runners-up Fnatic? Stage 1 dark horse Team Vitality? The rising challengers Team Liquid? Or will be it 2024’s super squad, Team Heretics?

Here is everything you need to know before Stage 2 kicks off.

VCT EMEA Stage 2 Format

Stage 2 returns with the same format as Stage 1 – only with greater repercussions. The culmination of each team’s season is on the line, and every player is vying for greatness. Moreover, relegation is now a possibility for both Apeks and Gentle Mates (the two newest additions to VCT EMEA via Ascension).

*Reminder: If an ascended team finishes within the bottom 2 of their league at the end of the season, they will be subjected to relegation back to the Challengers League.

There will be a total of 2 stages once again: Group Stage and Playoffs. Here is a breakdown of the sorting.

Group Stage

Group Alpha

• Team Heretics
• BBL Esports
• FUT Esports
• Team Vitality
• GIANTX
• Gentle Mates

Group Omega

• Team Liquid
• Fnatic
• Natus Vincere
• Karmine Corp
• Movistar KOI
• Apeks

The teams will face off against one another within their assigned groups during the Group Stage, playing a single Round Robin to determine the top 4 from each group to advance to Playoffs. All series played during this stage will be Bo3 (Best-of-3) format.

Finishing within the bottom 2 of their respective groups will eliminate the team from Playoffs contention.

Playoffs

The top 4 from each groups will regroup in Playoffs for a final run to Champions qualification later this year. Playoffs will be a modified double-elimination bracket, granting advantages to better performing teams from the Group Stage.

Modifiers

• 1st Seed: Direct bye into Round 2 of Upper Bracket
• 2nd and 3rd Seed: Direct bye into Upper Bracket Opening Round
• 4th Seed: Will have to play through the Lower Bracket, facing the losers from the Upper Bracket Opening Round.

Playoffs will feature a Bo3 format for the majority of the bracket, with the exception of the Lower Finals and Grand Finals, both of which will feature Bo5 (Best-of-5) format.

Schedule

Here is a detailed look at the VCT EMEA Stage 2 schedule:

• Group Stage matches every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
• Two matches per day
• Matches begin 5pm and 8pm CET respectively

Opening Matchups (Week 1)

• Day 1
  • Natus Vincere vs Apeks
  • Team Vitality vs GIANTX
• Day 2
  • FUT Esports vs Gentle Mates
  • Team Liquid vs KOI
• Day 3
  • Team Heretics vs BBL Esports
  • Fnatic vs Karmine Corp

Follow the full schedule on the Strafe Esports website!

4 Slots, 12 Teams – Final Run To Champs

The winner and runner-up from VCT EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs will automatically qualify for VCT Champions Paris. The remaining 2 slots will go to the next two teams with the highest Championship Points.

Current State of All VCT EMEA teams (Championship Points total)

When Does VCT EMEA Stage 2 Begin?

Group Stage: July 16th – August 15th

Playoffs: August 21st-31st

• August 21st – 24th
  • Upper Bracket Quarterfinals
  • Upper Bracket Semifinals
  • Lower Bracket Round 1
  • Lower Bracket Quarterfinals
• August 29th
  • Upper Bracket Final
  • Lower Bracket Semifinal
• August 30th
  • Lower Finals
• August 31st
  • Grand Finals

Will Fnatic pull of the repeat in Stage 2? Or will a new team be crowned heading into Champions Paris? Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

Where to Watch VCT EMEA Stage 2?

VCT EMEA Stage 2 can be watched live-streamed on Twitch and YouTube in English. Secondary streams will also be available in French, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.

Check out Strafe Esports for all the latest VALORANT news and our X account for the latest content and coverages. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

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