Gentle Mates Join VCT EMEA for 2026 Season as New Partnered Team

Following the abrupt removal of Movistar KOI from the VCT EMEA circuit, Gentle Mates have just been announced as the newest addition to the league. This comes off the back of an extensive process involving reportedly 10 teams who were invited to participate in the application process to join VCT EMEA following MKOI’s removal.

A Familiar Face Returns

Perhaps a familiar face to many, Gentle Mates recently spent 2 years competing in VCT EMEA, occupying one of the guest slots after winning the Ascension tournament in 2023.

Unfortunately, despite their electrifying rise to glory from Challengers to VCT EMEA, the French organization was never able to find much success during their stay in Tier 1. After finishing in the bottom 2 teams in Stage 2 this year, Gentle Mates along with Apeks found their stay terminated and were faced with a return to the grind in Challengers.

Fortunately for them, thanks to the vacancy left by Movistar KOI, Gentle Mates were successful in their application and are now back for good as one of the partner teams in VCT EMEA moving forwards. This brings the total count of French-affiliated brands to three, with Karmine Corp and Team Vitality already well-recognized partners in the league.

It is important to note that all VCT partner team contracts will conclude at the end of 2026, meaning Gentle Mates, while successful in their application, have only been granted a one-year contract. After the 2026 season, all partnerships will conclude and be reevaluated.

Riot Games Assures an Extensive Selection Process

As part of their efforts to fill the vacancy left by Movistar KOI, Riot outlined the process Gentle Mates and other participating organizations underwent since the announcement went out. On September 22nd, it was announced that VCT EMEA had invited 10 teams to apply as a replacement for the partnership slot. Reportedly, 9 teams responded to the invite.

From there, the process was mirrored to the same one used during the original selection process back at the end of 2022 when the original 30 teams were selected for VCT partnership. The following criteria for evaluation was outlined as shown below:

• Organizational goals for the 2026 season
• Collaboration, strategic alignment, and channel strategy
• Operational readiness
• Competitive plans and player support systems
• Community resonance and ability to generate fandom

It was confirmed by Riot that following this process, Gentle Mates achieved the “highest overall score”, therefore securing themselves partnership for the 2026 season.

Later this year, a further two teams will Ascend to VCT EMEA as well following the conclusion of VALORANT Ascension EMEA, which will retain the team count of 12 for the 2026 season.

Following this update, the current lineup of organizations for VCT EMEA for the 2026 season are as follows:

• Team Vitality
• Karmine Corp
• Gentle Mates
• Team Liquid
• Team Heretics
• FUT Esports
• Fnatic
• BBL Esports
• GIANTX
• Natus Vincere
• TBD (Guest Slot)
• TBD (Guest Slot)

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Featured Image Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

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