VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1: Schedule, Format, Groups, and Opening Matches

The start of the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 is fast approaching, which means top-tier VALORANT in one of the fiercest regions in the world is set to return to our screens.

Starting Wednesday, March 26th, the tournament will see the twelve participating teams battle it out to secure one of three tickets for the next international tournament of the year: Masters Toronto.

Let's go ahead and take a look at everything you need to know about the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1.

Format

The VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 tournament will be divided in two stages: the Group Stage and the Playoffs. Here's how each of these will work.

Group Stage

The twelve teams in the region will divided into two groups: Group Alpha and Group Omega. Each team will play every other team once across a single round-robin, with all matches being best-of-3.

The top 4 teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs. The first placed teams from each group will receive a bye into the Upper Bracket Semifinals. Second and third placed teams will be placed in the first round of the Upper Bracket, while fourth placed teams will need to start the Playoffs straight from the Lower Bracket.

Playoffs

The Playoffs will be played across a double-elimination bracket where the 8 teams qualified will compete to earn the EMEA Stage 1 trophy. All Playoff matches will be Bo3, with the exception of the Lower Bracket Finals and the Grand Finals, which will be Bo5 series instead.

The tournament's champions will be crowned after the Grand Finals take place on May 18th. Last, but not least, the top three teams from the Playoffs will secure their spot at the next stage of international competition, at VCT Masters Toronto.

Teams and Groups

Group Alpha

• Team Vitality
• Apeks
• Natus Vincere
• GIANTX
• Fnatic
• Team Heretics

Group Omega

• Team Liquid
• KOI
• Karmine Corp
• Gentle Mates
• BBL Esports
• FUT Esports

Schedule and Opening Matchups

All of the Stage 1 Group Stage matches will be played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for five consecutive weeks, with the tournament starting on Wednesday, March 26th. Though matches will always start at 4 and 7 pm CET on their given days, the first week of matches will see games start an hour later instead (5 and 8 pm CET).

The Playoffs are set to begin on May 8th, with the tournament's Grand Finals taking place on May 18th.

Here are the two opening matchups that will start the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 tournament:

Team Vitality vs GIANTX [Wednesday, March 26th - 9 am PT / 5 pm CET]

Team Vitality roster: Derke / Kicks / Less / Sayf / trexx

GIANTX roster: Cloud / purp0 / runneR / tomaszy / westside

The region's Kickoff Champions return to the EMEA stage after a disappointing end to their journey at Masters Bangkok. Fueled to improve, Team Vitality will come out of the gates thirsty for blood and will take no pity on a GIANTX squad that is yet to find their footing.

For Derke and co. to return to the international stage in Toronto, they will first need to put up a strong showing at the VCT EMEA Stage 1, and it all starts with a win against GIANTX.

BBL Esports vs Karmine Corp [Wednesday, March 26th - 12 pm PT / 8 pm CET]

BBL Esports roster: LewN / Jamppi / PROFEK / sociablEE / chiwa

Karmine Corp roster: marteen / avez / Elite / SUYGETSU / Saadhak

Despite failing to qualify for Masters Bangkok, BBL had strong performances at the VCT 2025 EMEA Kickoff tournament. Now, against a Karmine Corp squad that is struggling to live up to its name, BBL will need to continue their progression or risk falling behind in Stage 1 from early on.

With Saadhak at the helm, however, Karmine Corp should not be counted out so hastily.

Ticket Sales

If you would like to catch all of the VCT EMEA action live at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, you can purchase tickets for the Stage 1 tournament through the EMEA ticket shop.

Tickets prices for the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 are as follows:

• Group Stage: €12 (Tickets for the final day of the Group Stage cost €15 instead)
• Playoffs (May 8th - May 16th): €15
• Lower Bracket Finals (May 17th): €20
• Grand Finals (May 18th): €25

Where to watch

Tier-1 VALORANTreturns to EMEA with the start of Stage 1. With top level gameplay, exciting storylines, and some of the very best players in the world going toe to toe, you won't want to miss out any of the action.

To catch all of the VCT 2025 EMEA Stage 1 games live, tune in to the official tournament channels on Twitch or YouTube, starting Wednesday, March 26th, at 5 pm CET. Alternatively, you can also watch all of the games on the official VALORANT esports website as well.

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

Read More:

VALORANT Patch 10.04: Waylay, Agent Updates and New Map Rotation

T1 Triumphs at VALORANT Masters Bangkok in a Thrilling Grand Final over G2 Esports