Team Liquid qualify for Champions after eliminating Fire Flux in VCT EMEA

Team Liquid have qualified for VALORANT Champions Shanghai after defeating Fire Flux Esports 2-0 in the lower bracket of VCT EMEA Stage 2 on Friday, August 28. The result secured Liquid at least a top-two finish in the regional playoffs and guaranteed their place at the final international tournament of the 2026 VCT season.

Liquid join Karmine Corp, FUT Esports and Team Vitality as EMEA's four representatives at Champions Shanghai. Karmine Corp had secured its qualification earlier on Friday by defeating FUT Esports 2-0 in the upper final, while FUT and Vitality had already secured their spots through the region's points system.

Fire Flux started the series on Haven, where Liquid built a 10-2 lead at halftime. The Turkish organization attempted to recover after the side switch, winning eight rounds on defense, but Liquid eventually closed the map 13-10.

The second map, Lotus, followed a similar pattern. Liquid again established a 10-2 lead before Fire Flux attempted another comeback. Liquid managed to hold on and finished the map 13-10, securing the 2-0 series victory.

The result ended Fire Flux's run through the VCT EMEA Stage 2 playoffs. The team, which entered the tournament through the Challengers circuit, reached the top four after defeating Team Vitality and BBL Esports in the lower bracket.

Team Liquid's victory also secured the final available Champions spot through EMEA's qualification system. The organization entered Stage 2 with nine Championship Points and earned enough points through its playoff run to secure its place in Shanghai.

The qualification marks another appearance for Team Liquid at VALORANT Champions. The organization will now have the opportunity to compete against the best teams from the Americas, Pacific and China at the season-ending tournament.

Team Liquid continued their run through the lower bracket by defeating FUT Esports by the score of 2-1. The victory secured Liquid a place in the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Grand Final, where they will face Karmine Corp on Sunday, August 30.

With Karmine Corp and Liquid qualifying through Stage 2, and FUT Esports and Team Vitality securing their spots through the region's Championship Points standings, EMEA's four-team lineup for Champions is now complete.

VALORANT Champions Shanghai will take place from September 24 to October 18, bringing together 16 teams from across the four VCT regions to compete for the 2026 world championship.