The top three teams for VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 are now solidified. With NRG waiting in the wings of the Grand Finals Stage, it now comes down to two teams: Fnatic and DRX to see which team and region will join NRG as finalist. With less than 24 hours before its decided, there’s a lot to anticipate coming into this matchup. A Rivalry as Old as the Game Fnatic and DRX. Two titans of the early VALORANT competitive scene that<span class="read-more">more</span>

The decision by MIBR to allow Cortezia, Xenom, and Artzin to negotiate with other teams after a highly promising Champions 2025 campaign surprised the VALORANT community. While it may look contradictory following the organization’s best result in the game, the move shows a clear ambition: securing aspas for 2026 and building a high-level international project around Verno. It seems this is the only way the Brazilian organization can realistically keep both stars, who are likely targets for almost every top<span class="read-more">more</span>

With the current competitive season coming to an end on Sunday, October 5, VALORANT has announced the format changes and plans for VCT 2026. The new season will present Challengers teams with an opportunity to reach VALORANT Champions next year. Let’s take a look at all the changes in store for the next season. New Locations For starters, the three international tournaments will take us to three new cities: Masters Santiago Masters London Champions Shanghai Further details regarding the locations<span class="read-more">more</span>

As VALORANT Champions 2025 nears its conclusion, Riot Games has taken the opportunity to announce the locations of all three internationals tournaments coming our way in 2026. VALORANT Masters &amp; Champions 2026 Cities When it comes to the VCT, the hype simply explodes at international events as fans from around the world have the chance to witness their favorite teams measure up against the best squads from other regions. Now, the cities and countries chosen to host all international events in 2026 have been revealed, unpacking a few surprises: VALORANT Masters 1: Santiago, Chile (February-March 2026) VALORANT Masters 2: London, United<span class="read-more">more</span>

Riot Games is set to debut a brand-new mode at VALORANT Champions 2025. A throwback to the aim maps from Counter-Strike, SKIRMISH is a new mode focused purely on raw aim duels to win rounds. How SKIRMISH Works The fifth Deathmatch-style mode to be added to the game, SKIRMISH will feature three maps: A, B, and C. Available as Solo, Duo, or Team (3-player) Eliminate the opposition to win First to 10 rounds No abilities or plants Similar to Team<span class="read-more">more</span>

Riot Games has officially revealed Teemo as the tenth fighter in 2XKO, set to join the game’s roster and early access launch on October 7, 2025. Teemo’s arrival brings a unique blend of personality and strategic depth to the 2v2 tag fighting game, offering both longtime League of Legends fans and new players a new character to master. Teemo’s Playstyle and Key Moves Teemo’s fighting style in 2XKO draws directly from his League of Legends origins, focusing on setup-heavy, trap-based, and zoning gameplay. His toolkit includes laying traps, aiming his signature blow darts, and manipulating the battlefield with various obstacles.<span class="read-more">more</span>

MIBR bid farewell to VALORANT Champions Paris after falling to DRX 2-1 today, Monday, September 29, ending a campaign that exceeded all expectations. The Brazilian squad, which entered the tournament as the fourth seed from the Americas, departs with an important achievement - a place among the top six teams in the world - and with a bright future ahead of the organization. A Surprising Quality That Captivated the Scene Throughout the competition, MIBR demonstrated a level of play that<span class="read-more">more</span>

The $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA Games) by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the latest (but not the last) movement we will continue seeing by petrodollars owners in their quest to dominate yet another ecosystem. Beyond the sheer financial magnitude, this symbolizes a shift toward centralized control of competitive gaming by a single geopolitical entity. For esports stakeholders, players, fans, developers, and organizations, this new reality demands a critical, nuanced examination, before<span class="read-more">more</span>

While VALORANT Champions Paris continues to reach new heights of excitement deep in the Playoffs Stage, the aftermath of such a massive tournament can oftentimes be difficult to bear. However, fans will not find themselves short on entertainment as they await the 2026 season to start. Plenty to Expect in the VCT Off-Season 7 major off-season events have now been confirmed between the months of November and December. This is on top of 3 more official VCT events: the Game<span class="read-more">more</span>

Fnatic will be without their star sentinel, Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder, in today’s highly anticipated upper bracket semifinal against Paper Rex due to ongoing health concerns. The team confirmed his absence just hours before the match in a statement on their official X account, noting that his recovery is progressing well, but he will miss the fixture on recommendations from medical staff and the organization. Fnatic’s announcement emphasized prioritizing Alfajer’s health and well-being. In his stead, Domagoj “Doma” Fancev will<span class="read-more">more</span>

VALORANT Champions 2025 Paris Playoffs has delivered its first major blow with the elimination of one of top contenders and favourites to win the entire event – G2 Esports. The organization that dominated most of 2025’s VCT Americas with triple trophy lifts domestically failed to close out against Paper Rex two days ago in the Upper Bracket and again today against DRX. The Kings of VCT Americas are Out G2 Esports came into the 2025 season with one of the strongest starts, immediately winning Kickoff and followed it up with a Grand Finals appearance against T1 in Masters Bangkok. Their<span class="read-more">more</span>

Fnatic’s opening playoff clash at VALORANT Champions 2025 ended in a nail-biting 2-1 victory over DRX, where resilience and adaptation were on full display. Following an intense series marked by momentum swings and individual brilliance, Strafe Esports caught up with Kajetan "Kaajak" Haremski, Fnatic’s latest addition, to discuss the match, his journey, and the shifting landscape of VALORANT’s meta. Haven: A Test of Mental Fortitude Recapping the dramatic turnaround on Map 1, Haven, Kaajak praised his team’s ability to adapt in the moment and overcome early struggles. “I think it was a pretty intense series, like especially the comeback on<span class="read-more">more</span>

The conclusion of the Champions Paris Group Stage some days ago now makes way for the Playoffs Stage, where the final 8 teams face off in a grueling double-elimination bracket to earn a chance in that coveted Grand Finals and the eternal glory that comes with lifting the Champions trophy. By this point, we should all be familiar with the Pick’Ems and what they are. But for the uninitiated, the Pick’Ems is a minigame on the VALORANT Esports website (also<span class="read-more">more</span>

It's been several weeks since the 2XKO Closed Beta began, and the response has been nothing short of positive so far. Now, Riot Games will be opening the game up to everyone. If you're eager to try out Riot's new fighting game but haven't had the chance to do so yet, then you'll be glad to know that 2XKO will soon be entering into Early Access – no invite required. This, however, is only the beginning. With the game heading into Early Access, Riot also announced the launch of First Impact, a new competitive play program that will sponsor 2XKO tournaments all<span class="read-more">more</span>

As the dust settles on the group stage of VALORANT Champions Paris 2025, the competition now enters the playoffs. After two weeks of intense matches the top eight teams have officially secured their place in the quarterfinals. The group stage concluded with MIBR sweeping RRQ 2-0 in the final series, immediately followed by the playoffs draw that determines the road to the finals. With seeding rules in place to prevent teams from facing former group opponents on the same side<span class="read-more">more</span>

Riot Games has started the process of selecting a new organization to join the VCT EMEA franchise, following the removal of Movistar KOI (MKOI) from the lineup of teams. The company has invited 10 organizations with established ties to VALORANT’s EMEA circuit to apply for the open spot. VCT EMEA Open Slot Application Process The current selection is invite-only: all candidates have been chosen based on their previous involvement with VALORANT esports, including visitor teams and squads that have featured<span class="read-more">more</span>