Sources: Team Heretics, Fnatic, and Team Liquid set to skip the EMEA Clash

Presented as a tournament featuring teams from the VCT EMEA and the region's Challengers leagues, the EMEA Clash will take place from February 19 to 25. Positioned between the conclusion of the Kickoff — which will send the top three VCT EMEA teams to Santiago for the first VALORANT Masters of the year — and the start of that event, the domestic tournament will see twelve teams face off: six VCT teams and six Challengers teams.

While the Challengers league participants will be the winners of the first competitive split of their respective leagues, participation is optional for VCT teams. With three teams in Santiago, nine Tier 1 teams were potentially available for the EMEA Clash. On Tuesday, Tomek, VALORANT Esports Product Manager, shared details on X about the situation.

"We reached out to all VCT EMEA teams ahead of EMEA Clash to understand interest in playing if they don’t qualify for Masters Santiag," Tomek said. "A number of teams confirmed they wouldn’t compete regardless of Kickoff outcome. From the pool of teams that do opt in, the top 6 teams at Kickoff will be selected to compete." According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Team Heretics, Fnatic, and Team Liquid have indeed already informed Riot Games that they do not wish to register.

If they fail to qualify for the Masters and with their decision to skip the EMEA Clash, these teams could be waiting until April before returning to the Berlin Arena and resuming competition. Among the squads that played the most in EMEA in 2025, this trio may have made this choice to rest, refine strategies, and avoid overexerting themselves in a short, intense tournament where VCT teams have more to lose than to gain.

Their absence also creates opportunities for other teams that are lacking competitive play to step in and gain valuable experience. At the time of writing, PCIFIC Esports and FUT Esports have already been eliminated from the race to Santiago. The first match to determine the first qualified team will take place on February 13 in a best-of-five series between Gentle Mates and BBL Esports.