Three teams, three storylines: EMEA at Game Changers Championship 2026

EMEA will send three teams to the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026, including G2 Gozen, Gentle Mates GC, and SK Nebula. All three organizations will enter the tournament with different narratives, challenges, and goals, along with rivalries. GCC will run from October 22 to November 1 in São Paulo, featuring a total of 10 teams competing for a prize pool of $500,000. As the EMEA representatives go up against the best Game Changers teams from across the globe in a bid to bring the region its second international trophy, here is a closer look at each of them.

G2 Gozen are arguably one of the most consistent teams in the Game Changers scene and among the top contenders for the championship title. The team lifted the inaugural edition of the Championship in 2022 under the leadership of Michaela "mimi" Lintrup and has qualified for the biggest stage every year so far.

While the EMEA team has dominated regionally, racking up 10 GC EMEA trophies, it is still awaiting its second international title. The squad came close twice in 2023 and 2024 but was eliminated in the lower bracket final on both occasions. The 2025 season, meanwhile, proved chaotic for the team due to significant roster changes.

Heading into the 2026 Game Changers Championship as the first seed from EMEA, G2 Gozen will be looking to finally lift another international trophy; however, Brazilian teams would be a challenge. As a matter of fact, in the three previous editions of the global event, G2 Gozen were eliminated twice by MIBR GC and once by Team Liquid Brazil.

“From 2022 until now, Brazilian teams have consistently pushed us. Whether it's Team Liquid or MIBR, there's never an easy game against them,” mimi told Sheep Esports.

While mimi is the only remaining member of G2 Gozen’s original lineup, the current roster has the experience needed to compete for the title. The team has received a direct bye to the upper bracket quarterfinals and will begin its campaign on October 24 against the winner of MIBR GC vs. FENNEL GC.

Gentle Mates entered the Game Changers scene in 2026 with a roster featuring well-known names such as Gülce "wens" Sürmeli, and Iman "Nami" Nagaaoui. Despite being a fresh lineup, the team defeated regional heavyweights GIANTX and G2 Gozen to qualify for the Championship. The squad won Stage 1 and finished second in Stages 2 and 3, proving they should not be underestimated.

However, adapting to international playstyles and managing the pressure of the global stage will be a big challenge for them. In fact, Gentle Mates GC’s very first opponent will be the defending champions Team Liquid Brazil on October 23, which would give them an opportunity to showcase their potential early in the tournament.

“I think our confidence would have been the same regardless of who we faced first. We've improved with every split and know what we need to do. We're completely confident and really excited to face Team Liquid in our opening match,” nami stated during the pre-event press conference.

SK Nebula's qualification offers a compelling comeback story, as the team faced a difficult start to the season with an eighth-place finish in Stage 1. As a result, the roster dropped to the promotion/relegation event. However, the team not only fought its way back into the GC EMEA circuit but also went on to win Stage 2, defeating Gentle Mates in a dominant 3-0 grand final.

The organization carried that momentum into Stage 3, achieving a third-place finish to qualify for the Game Changers Championship as EMEA's third seed. Heading into the tournament, Eda "rezq" Akçocuk and Tina "Joliinaa" Agéli previous Game Changers Championship experience would be quite crucial for the team’s success.

SK Nebula will open their campaign against China's Nova Esports GC on October 22 and a victory would set up a match against two-time world champions Shopify Rebellion. While the road ahead is challenging, the team's experience against regional powerhouses such as G2 Gozen could help them make a deep run.