Riot Games is preparing to partially reshape the European competitive circuit of VALORANT for the 2026 season. According to information obtained by Sheep Esports, four major tournaments will punctuate the year in the EMEA region, primarily aimed at teams competing in the Challengers leagues, but not exclusively. Two EMEA Challengers, as in previous seasons, will still be part of the circuit, but it’ll now be joined by two new competitions: the first one between Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams just before Masters Santiago, the second one at the end of the season, to qualify for Stage 2.

One of the most significant changes is the shortened calendar, with the regular season for all EMEA Challengers leagues now set to conclude no later than 18 May. As a result, a vast majority of Tier 2 teams will have wrapped up their official season in under six months from its start, pending any potential offseason competitions.

A first official tournament between VCT and Challengers teams

The first tournament in this new structure will bring together teams from both Tier 1 and Tier 2. Scheduled to take place from February 16 to 27, it will feature the winners of the first Split from each regional league on the continent, as well as the partnered organizations from VCT EMEA.

Several details are still unknown, including the exact format, but it's already known that the teams that qualified for the Masters will not participate. With the grand final set for February 27, it was unlikely that the three teams qualified for Masters Santiago will compete, since that tournament begins the day after the finale, on February 28.

Two regional European stages

The circuit will continue with two additional interregional competitions, following the established structure of the Challengers system. After the second split of each national league, EMEA Challengers 1 will take place from March 16 to 31. EMEA Challengers 2, scheduled from May 18 to 28, will follow the third and final split of the regional leagues.

For each of these tournaments, as with this year, two representatives from every regional league will qualify. These events could once again serve as point-scoring opportunities for participating teams, as has been the case in previous seasons, even though Riot Games has not yet confirmed whether it will keep this system. Additionally, May 18, which marks the start of Challengers EMEA 2, will also serve as the deadline for all leagues to conclude their seasons. As a result, a vast majority of Tier 2 teams competing in 2026 will have completed their year by mid-May, after three competitive segments.

And a final stage...

A fourth and final European tournament, more or less replacing the Ascension tournament, is scheduled from June 22 to 30 and will conclude the Tier 2 VALORANT season in EMEA. According to information shared with Sheep Esports, this tournament is currently expected to feature 16 teams: the eight highest point earners from the previous EMEA Challengers events, alongside eight teams, one representative from each regional league.

The tournament is also expected to include a Last Chance Qualifier, although details remain limited at this stage. The number of teams involved and the exact format of the LCQ and the tournament have to be confirmed.

Unlike previous seasons, this final event will not offer promotion to Tier 1. Instead, as announced by Riot Games, it will award four spots to the Stage 2 Play-Ins, where Tier 2 teams will compete alongside VCT teams for a place in the Stage 2 Playoffs, and ultimately, a chance to qualify for Champions.