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VALORANT EMEA Clash 2026: All You Need To Know
Riot Games has announced the inaugural VALORANT EMEA Clash, scheduled for February 16-25. The event will field 12 teams - six from VCT EMEA and six from EMEA Challenger circuits - competing in parallel double-elimination brackets. EMEA Clash 2026 will be hosted by Riot in partnership with Vanguard, the operator of the VALORANT Challenger MENA League.
This online tournament is not just a VCT event; it’s a high-stakes clash involving VCT titans and Challengers contenders, wrapped in a format that embodies the dualistic heart of VALORANT’s universe. Here’s more on the 2026 VALORANT EMEA Clash, including the seeding, format, and livestream details.
Teams
VALORANT EMEA Clash 2026 will feature six VCT EMEA teams and six Challengers teams.
VCT teams: Following EMEA Kickoff, the top 3 teams will qualify for Masters Santiago. From the remaining nine teams, six will be invited to compete in EMEA Clash.
VCL teams: EMEA Clash 2026 will feature the top team from each of these six EMEA Challengers tournaments: VCL NORTH//EAST: Kickoff, VCL Spain Rising: Stage 1, VCL France: Revolution Stage 1, VCL DACH: Evolution Stage 1 Group Stage, VCL Türkiye: Birlik Kickoff Group Stage, and VCL MENA: Resilience Kickoff Group Stage.
Format Explained
Unlike standard VCT events, this tournament will feature two double-elimination brackets running simultaneously. And instead of one champion, VALORANT EMEA Clash 2026 will crown two separate winners: the Alpha Champion and the Omega Champion.
The top four teams from the VCT EMEA Kickoff (excluding teams that qualified for Masters Santiago) will earn a bye directly into Round 2. The two remaining VCT teams, along with the six competing Challengers teams, will be placed into a randomized draw. To maintain balance, each bracket will feature only one of the two remaining VCT teams.
The Alpha and Omega brackets run in parallel but become intertwined. The key rule is that teams that lose their Upper Round 2 matches are sent to the lower rounds of the opposite bracket. Here's the path for an Alpha Bracket team:
- Win Upper Round 1: Advance to Upper Round 2 (Alpha Bracket)
- Lose Upper Round 1: Drop to Alpha Bracket Lower Round 1
- Lose Upper Round 2: Transfer to Omega Bracket Lower Round 1 (instead of Alpha Lower)
This interconnection continues through the later stages of the tournament as well. The Lower Round Semifinals, Lower Finals, Upper Finals, and the Grand Finals for each bracket will all feature matchups between teams from opposite brackets.
Where to Watch VALORANT EMEA Clash 2026
Viewers worldwide can tune into the VCT EMEA’s broadcast on Twitch and YouTube to watch the 2026 VALORANT EMEA Clash live in English. Alternate streaming options include:
Spanish: Twitch
Follow the action on the Strafe Esports tournament page as the tournament unfolds.
Check out Strafe Esports for all the latest VALORANT news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.
Feature image credits: Riot Games
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VCT EMEA 2026 Kickoff: All You Need To Know