VALORANT: Team Heretics have secured their place at Champions in Paris in 2025!

Undefeated run in the Stage 2 group stage, but still eliminated from the playoffs

Team Heretics secured their place at VALORANT Champions 2025 in Paris, this Friday 29, following the conclusion of VCT EMEA Stage 2 winner bracket final between Team Liquid and BBL Esports. The Spanish team remained undefeated in the group stage of Stage 2 with a record of 5–0, but then lost twice in the playoffs. Crucially, Liquid's 2–1 victory over BBL in the Stage 2 upper-bracket final on 29 August confirmed Heretics' place at Champions Paris.

In Stage 2 Group Alpha, Team Heretics dominated their matches. They won all five Bo3 matchups, clinching first place with a perfect 5–0 record. Notable victories included 2–0 sweeps against FUT Esports and GIANTX, as well as a 2–0 win against Team Vitality. The remaining two matches were won by a score of 2–1: in Week 1, Heretics came from behind to beat BBL Esports and in Week 2, they narrowly defeated Gentle Mates. This flawless group performance earned them the #1 seed in the Stage 2 playoffs.

However, seeded into the Upper Bracket Semifinals, Team Heretics' playoff run stumbled. On 22 August, they faced BBL Esports and lost two maps, dropping them to the lower bracket. On 24 August, in Lower Round 2, they met Natus Vincere and lost again, this time 0–2. These consecutive defeats eliminated Heretics from Stage 2, leaving them tied for 5th–6th place in the playoffs. However, their group-stage seed meant that they had already positioned themselves for a Champions qualification opportunity.

Path to Champions Paris

According to the VCT rules, the top two teams from each region's Stage 2 playoffs earn a direct place at the Champions Paris. In EMEA, one slot went to Team Liquid, the Stage 2 winner, meaning that the second slot depended on the result of the Upper Final. When Team Liquid beat BBL Esports 2–1 on 29 Aug., they effectively did Team Heretics a massive favour by securing them a ticket to Champions. In other words, Liquid’s victory meant that, as the next eligible team, Heretics clinched the second EMEA berth at Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris.