VALORANT Esports | VCT EMEA Stage 1 2025 Primer: Format and Key Dates

VALORANT Masters Bangkok set the stage for an electric start to the season, and now, all eyes turn back to our International Leagues (ILs). Thankfully, you won’t have to wait long—VCT EMEA Stage 1 kicks off on Wednesday, March 26.

Team Liquid returns to the region with a point to prove. After an impressive lower bracket run at VCT EMEA Kickoff and a gutsy international showing, they fell just short of a Playoffs spot at Masters Bangkok. Now, they’ll be hungry to reassert themselves.

Meanwhile, Team Vitality enters Stage 1 with a target on their backs. They claimed their first VALORANT title at Kickoff and carried that momentum into Bangkok, where they stormed into the Playoffs without dropping a single series, securing a top-four finish.

As teams regroup and figure out their roster’s strengths on the road to Toronto, competition is going to be even fiercer for the Stage 1 title. Like you, we can’t wait to see how our teams will improve and perform so in preparation, here’s everything you need to know about VCT EMEA Stage 1.

VCT EMEA Stage 1 Format

Stage 1 kicks off with a high-stakes single round-robin group stage, where teams will battle it out in two groups of six—Group Alpha and Group Omega. With fierce rivalries reignited and fresh grudge matches on the horizon, every game matters. The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs, where the competition only gets tougher. Missed the draw? Check out the results below to see how the stage is set!

Group Alpha	Group Omega
Team Vitality	Team Liquid
Apeks	KOI
Natus Vincere	Karmine Corp
GIANTX	Gentle Mates
Fnatic	BBL Esports
Team Heretics	FUT Esports

The Playoffs will follow a modified double-elimination bracket, where teams' performance in the Group Stage determines their starting position:

#1 seeds from each group earn a bye into Round 2 of the Upper Bracket.
#2 and #3 seeds will face off in the Opening Round.
#4 seeds have no second chances—they start in the Lower Bracket and face elimination immediately, playing against the losers of the Opening Round.

As the competition progresses, the final eight teams will battle through a mix of best-of-three series, escalating to best-of-fives in the Lower Final and Grand Final to determine the ultimate Stage 1 champion.

International Qualification

This time, it's not just the top two teams advancing internationally—three teams will qualify for Toronto, raising the stakes even higher.

Map Pool Update

We’re shaking things up in Stage 1 with a refreshed map pool:

Removed: Bind & Abyss
Added: Icebox & Ascent

These maps will remain in play for the entirety of Stage 1.

Championship Points Standings

Beyond Stage 1 glory and Toronto qualification, teams are also competing for Championship Points—which will determine not just the third but also the fourth EMEA team to qualify for VALORANT Champions Paris.

Here’s how the standings look so far:

Rank	Team	Championship Points
1st	Team Vitality	4
2nd	Team Liquid	2
3rd	Team Heretics	1
3rd	FUT Esports	1

With plenty of time left in 2025, there’s still room for major shifts in the leaderboard.

VCT EMEA Stage 1 Key Dates

Stage 1 kicks off on Wednesday, March 26, with a 5 PM CET start time to avoid any late finishes. The Group Stage will run for five weeks, with matches played across three days each week, culminating on April 25.

After a short break for teams to prepare, the Playoffs will begin on May 8 with a special four-day game week, featuring matches from May 8-11.

The stage will conclude the following week with three days of huge games from May 16-18. May 16 will see both the Upper Bracket Final and Lower Bracket Semi-Finals, followed by the Lower Finals on May 17, then we’ll crown our champions in The Grand Final on Sunday, May 18 which promises to deliver yet another unforgettable showdown!

VCT EMEA Stage 1 Ticket Sales

For the rest of 2025, we’re focusing on making VCT EMEA’s biggest moments even more special for fans online and in-person. To focus on these peak moments, we’re no longer hosting fans at the Riot Games Arena on Wednesdays during the Regular Season, allowing us to reinvest in delivering unforgettable experiences when they matter most.

To grab your tickets for any other showdays and be part of the action, join us in the Riot Games Arena in Berlin by securing your tickets here!