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MIBR Benches Entire VALORANT Roster Ahead of VCT 2027
MIBR has benched its main VALORANT roster and made its players available for transfer negotiations ahead of 2027. In an official statement, the organization said it would reassess its lineup in light of changes to the competitive circuit, including the regional transition planned for next season.
The move does not mean the players' contracts have been terminated. MIBR said all existing agreements remain in effect and that any potential transfers must be negotiated directly with the organization. The announcement did not name replacements or clarify the status of the coaching staff.
MIBR's Full Official Statement on Its VALORANT Roster
MIBR also released the following statement in English:
"Following discussions with the players’ representatives and considering the significant changes to the competitive structure for 2027, including the regional transition and the challenges associated with it, MIBR has decided to reassess its Valorant roster for the upcoming season.
As part of this process, the players will be moved to the inactive roster and made available for transfer negotiations.
All existing contractual obligations remain in effect, and any potential transfers will be negotiated directly with MIBR.
We appreciate the players’ dedication and contributions to the organization and remain committed to handling this transition professionally and respectfully."
Who Was on MIBR's 2026 VALORANT Roster?
MIBR competed during the 2026 season with the following players:
- Erick “aspas” Santos
- Andrew “Verno” Maust
- Zachary “zekken” Patrone
- Roberto “Mazino” Rivas
- Ian “tex” Botsch
tex had already been moved to the bench on September 21, when he announced that he had been given permission to explore offers from other teams. At the time, he emphasized that he remained under contract with MIBR. The latest statement is therefore not the organization's first move toward a roster overhaul.
Another notable case is aspas, who extended his contract with MIBR through the end of 2027. Being available for transfer talks does not mean the Duelist, or any other member of the roster, has already agreed to join another team or will necessarily leave the organization.
How Did MIBR Perform in 2026?
After adding zekken, Mazino and tex in late 2025, MIBR failed to turn its roster investment into qualification for the VCT's main international events. The team finished fourth at Americas Kickoff and placed fifth-sixth in both Stage 1 and Stage 2.
As a result, MIBR missed Masters Santiago, Masters London and Champions Shanghai. The team did compete at the Esports World Cup 2026, which was held outside the official VCT circuit, finishing in fifth-eighth place.
MIBR's VCT campaign ended on August 30 with a 2-0 loss to LOUD in the Stage 2 playoffs. The defeat ended the team's remaining hopes of qualifying for Champions 2026.
Following the elimination, coach Daniel “fRoD” Montaner told THESPIKE Brasil that the team had struggled with collective focus and cited “too much ego” when discussing the season. He also accepted part of the responsibility for the team's performance. Those comments were made before the announcement of the roster overhaul.
What Changes for MIBR in VCT 2027?
Despite the roster changes, MIBR remains a VCT Americas partner for 2027 and 2028. Riot Games confirmed the organization among its new list of partners, with eight teams per region, and will introduce a circuit with open qualifiers and more tournaments throughout the year.
Another change concerns roster eligibility: teams must select a home region and, as a general rule, field at least three players eligible for that territory in their five-player starting lineup. However, Riot has introduced a transition period for existing partner-team rosters, allowing those lineups to be temporarily retained. The new rules therefore did not, by themselves, require MIBR to bench all its players immediately.
The statement refers to the challenges of the regional transition but does not explain how the organization plans to handle it. MIBR has yet to reveal its starting lineup for 2027.
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Featured image credit: Riot Games
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