VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers: Schedule, results, format, teams, where to watch
The Main Event begins on February 11.
The top Valorant teams in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are all ready for thenew 2022 Valorant season. They will get to put their skills and strategies to the test at VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers, where reigningValorant Champions winner Acendare eager to defend their crown.
Riot Games handed out direct invites to the following teams, comprising some of the best in the region, advancing them to the Stage 1 Main Event:
These four teams were selected based on their2021 VCT EMEA circuit point standings. All of them also participated inValorant Championsat the end of last year.
What is the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers?
VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers is the first competition of the 2022 season for teams based in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It consists of three phases: the open qualifiers, the regular season, and the playoffs.
The best teams in the region will be competing to qualify for the first international Masters event of the year, in addition to crucialVCT circuit pointsthat will help them qualify for a spot at the Valorant Champions event at the end of 2022.
Tournament schedule and match results
Qualifiers
The open qualifier in the different EMEA regions began on July 17, 2025. Teams that qualified from Europe, Turkey, and the CIS region have already been decided.
Main Event
The Stage 1 Main Event begins on February 11 with the new regular season format in which the 12 qualified teams will compete for their spots in the playoffs.
February 21
Week 3
Update:Week 3 of the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers matches have been postponed byRiot Gamesdue to the ongoingconflict in Ukraine.
March 19
Playoffs
The playoffs begin in March, where the top eight teams will square off for the available spots allotted to the EMEA region in the first Masters of the VCT 2022 season.
Format of the tournament
The two open qualifiers will have four Main Event spots up for grabs and will feature a 128-team bracket. Teams will compete in a single-elimination format until they reach the round of 32, which will then switch to the double-elimination format.
The main event will see the 12 qualified teams split into two groups of six teams. They will compete in round-robin best-of-three matches after which the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs.
The playoffs will be a double-elimination bracket with all matches played out in a best-of-three series, except for the lower bracket final and grand final, which will both be best-of-five games.
The new Valorant agentNeonwill also be available for tournament play for the first time on January 25.
Group B
Where to watch the tournament?
Valorant fans can watch the matches live on Riot Games’ official Twitch and YouTube channels:
(To be updated)
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