It was the most obvious candidate. Gentle Mates will take over KOI’s slot in VCT EMEA. "VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA today confirms that Gentle Mates will join the league for the 2026 VCT EMEA season, filling the vacant slot in the league," stated Riot Games on X — without directly mentioning KOI. The Spanish organization was removed from the regional VALORANT league last September after failing to comply with the terms of its agreement with Riot Games, according to the publisher. From the very day of the announcement, Gentle Mates’ name surfaced as a likely replacement.

Winners of the 2023 EMEA Ascension, the team owned by Lucas “Squeezie” Hauchard, Corentin “Gotaga” Houssein, and Kevin “Brawks” Georges had competed in VCT EMEA for the past two years. The club was even one of the league’s primary flagships, having featured in the three most-watched matches of Stage 2 Group Stage. However, their disappointing results in the 2025 season cost them their place in the competition, forcing a return to the French Challengers.

To remain in VCT EMEA, Gentle Mates would have needed to qualify for Champions. Alternatively, they could have secured a berth by reaching the Stage 2 playoffs or finishing among the top eight teams overall across the year, thus earning the right to compete in Ascension 2025 and defend their slot.

One team’s misfortune, another’s opportunity

Yet very early in the year, the stars failed to align. After a quick exit in the Kickoff event (7th–8th), Gentle Mates finished last in their Stage 1 group. With a roster that had undergone significant changes, M8 endured a disastrous Stage 2 campaign: not only did the team go winless in its group (0–5), but it also fell victim to a series of improbable comebacks that gradually extinguished any hope of retaining its league position.

Even before elimination was confirmed, Squeezie had warned Gentle Mates fans that the club would likely withdraw from the VALORANT scene if relegated to Challengers France. “There’s a very strong, massive chance we won’t be competing in VALORANT next year”, he stated. However, no official statement had been made regarding the team’s future when KOI’s exclusion was announced.

During the Fortnite World Cup final in Lyon, which was streamed live, Squeezie spoke about the uncertainty and Gentle Mates position: “We still don't know if we're in or not. If we get the chance to apply, we won't hesitate.” He also pointed out that the organization still has an operational base in Berlin, which would be a clear logistical advantage if Riot formally opens up applications for the EMEA slot.

And the GP Explorer creator was right. "The process mirrored the system used during the inception of the league, when 10 teams were originally selected as VCT EMEA partners. All applicants submitted a formal application, evaluated against the following criteria: Organizational goals for the 2026 season, Collaboration, strategic alignment, channel strategy, and Operational readiness
Competitive plans and player support systems, Community resonance and ability to generate fandom," Riot explained. "After thorough review, Gentle Mates achieved the highest overall score. As a result, they have been offered a one-year contract through the end of 2026, when all VCT EMEA partnerships conclude."

With its base in Berlin and a strong audience presence, the organization already had compelling credentials to take KOI’s place, over nine candidates, Riot said. As previously reported by Sheep Esports, Apeks, the winner of the 2024 Ascension, who similarly lost their spot after a disappointing 2025 season, was one of the other applying teams, in a collaboration with HEROIC.