Everything you need to know about 2026 Challengers and Game Changers EMEA

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Riot Games has announced the plans for the 2026 Challengers and Game Changers EMEA circuits, including how they’ll be structured and when events will take place.

Okay, so as a Valorant player in EMEA, I’m hyped to hear that both Challengers and Game Changers are getting a revamp for the 2026 season! There’s a ton of new stuff coming, and I’m ready to break it all down.

Introducing VALORANT EMEA Clash

Riot Games is launching the VALORANT EMEA Clash in 2026. The qualifying Challengers league begins January 5th and could last until February 12th. Because each regional league will have its own schedule and rules, keep an eye on local organizers for specific details.

The VCT EMEA 2026 season will begin alongside the existing EMEA Challengers league. Teams that don’t make it to Masters Santiago will have another chance to compete in the VALORANT EMEA Clash, a new tournament featuring both top and developing teams.

Between February 16th and 26th, exciting matches and unexpected results are anticipated as the competitive season continues between the Kickoff and Masters Santiago events. This will be the first opportunity this year for Challenger teams to face off against teams from VCT EMEA. Here’s the official schedule for the 2026 Challengers EMEA season:

  • Challengers EMEA 1: March 16 to 31
  • Challengers EMEA 2: May 18 to 28
  • Challengers EMEA 3: June 22 to July 6

2026 Challengers EMEA: Qualifier Tournament

Before both Challengers EMEA tournaments, each regional league will hold a qualifying event. The top two teams from each league, plus four teams from the NORTH//EAST region, will earn a spot in each Challengers EMEA tournament, making a total of 14 teams competing in each event.

The Challengers EMEA 3 tournament will be a bit different this time around. Performing well will directly qualify teams for VCT EMEA Stage 2, and ultimately, give them a chance to compete at VALORANT Champions in Shanghai.

The top eight teams from the regional Challenger Leagues will earn spots in the next stage. This includes two teams each from NORTH//EAST and MENA Resilience, and one team each from France Revolution, DACH Evolution, Spain Rising, and Türkiye Birlik.

Eight more teams will qualify based on their performance in the Challengers circuit, bringing the total number of teams in the tournament to sixteen. The four highest-ranking teams will then advance to the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Play-Ins.

Ascending into VCT EMEA Stage 2 Play-Ins

Teams in Challengers will have two chances to earn a spot in the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Play-Ins. The three highest-ranking teams from Challengers EMEA Stage 3 will qualify automatically. After that, a Last Chance Qualifier event will determine the final team to advance. More information about the event format will be announced soon.

Game Changers EMEA 2026

The Game Changers competition is set to expand in 2026, offering more chances for players in the EMEA region to compete and demonstrate their talent. The overall structure will be similar to 2025, featuring a Kickoff event followed by three Stages, each with 10 participating teams.

In addition to regional competitions, Riot Games is launching the Game Changers EMEA Circuit. This new circuit will feature both existing domestic tournaments and new Cash Cups, giving teams more opportunities to compete, earn points, and climb the leaderboards.

Cash Cups are quick, competitive tournaments with prize money available. Starting in February 2026 and continuing throughout the year, all tournaments will be played online. Teams from both regional Game Changers and GC EMEA are welcome to participate.

Like the 2026 Challengers EMEA 3 league, Cash Cups will allow teams to earn a spot in the Game Changers EMEA 3 Play-Ins, with a chance to advance all the way to the Game Changers Championship. Top-performing teams from regional leagues can also compete in promotion and relegation tournaments within Game Changers EMEA. We’ll share more information soon.

Premier and Path to Pro

Next year’s Premier league will offer even more ways to compete and advance your skills. The tournament mode is a great starting point for anyone hoping to become a professional player. The structure will be similar to 2025, with two chances each year to qualify for the Challengers league.

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2025-12-17 18:11