After six weeks of group stage matches, the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers playoffs are finally set to begin. Six teams advance to the final phase of the tournament, where they will battle for one of three spots at Stage 1 Masters Reykjavík.
European squad Fnatic took the top seed in Group A after remaining undefeated with a perfect 5-0 record in the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers group stage. The team has shown marked improvement since the addition of Andrey “BraveAF” Gorchakov and they will be looking to make their second Masters Reykavík appearance in April.
FunPlus Phoenix also had an impressive run, notching a 4-1 record with victories over Team Liquid and Natus Vincere, despite playing without in-game leader Kirill “ANGE1” Karasiow in the latter half of the group stage. This puts them neck-and-neck with the former Gambit Esports squad now playing under the neutral M3 Champions banner.
Team Liquid, G2 Esports, and Guild Esports close out the playoffs, with all three teams securing 3-2 records.
What is the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers Playoffs?
The playoffs are the final leg of VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers and will determine who qualifies for the first international LAN event of the year.
The top three teams will advance to VCT Stage 1 Masters Reykjavík, where they will compete for a pool of 3,400 circuit points that will go toward qualifying for Valorant Champions at the end of the year.
VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers Playoffs schedule and results
The playoffs will take place from March 22 to 27 with the matches starting at 11:00 p.m. GMT+8.
(To be updated)
March 22
Upper Bracket Quarterfinals
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
M3 Champions | 2 — 0 | Guild Esports |
March 23
Upper Bracket Quarterfinals
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
G2 Esports | 0 — 2 | Team Liquid |
Upper Bracket Semifinals
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
Fnatic | 2 — 1 | M3 Champions |
March 24
Upper Bracket Semifinals
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
FunPlus Phoenix | 2 — 0 | Team Liquid |
Lower Bracket Quarterfinals
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
G2 Esports | 2 — 0 | M3 Champions |
March 25
Lower Bracket Quarterfinals
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
Guild Esports | 0 — 2 | Team Liquid |
Lower Bracket Semifinal
March 26
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
Fnatic | 0 — 2 | FunPlus Phoenix |
Upper Bracket Final
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
G2 Esports | 2 — 0 | Team Liquid |
Lower Bracket Final
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
Fnatic | 0 — 3 | G2 Esports |
March 27
Grand Final
TEAM | RESULTS | TEAM |
FunPlus Phoenix | 3 — 1 | G2 Esports |
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Teams that are competing in the tournament
TEAMS |
Fnatic |
FunPlus Phoenix |
M3 Champions |
G2 Esports |
Team Liquid |
Guild Esports |
VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers prize and point pool
PLACE | TEAM | POINT POOL | PRIZE MONEY |
1st | FunPlus Phoenix | Qualifies to Masters Reykjavík | EU€40,000 (US$44,340) |
2nd | G2 Esports | Qualifies to Masters Reykjavík | EU€30,000 (US$33,250) |
3rd | Fnatic | Qualifies to Masters Reykjavík | EU€22,000 (US$24,390) |
4th | Team Liquid | 55 VCT points | EU€18,000 (US$19,950) |
5th | M3 Champions | 50 VCT points | EU€15,000 (US$16,630) |
6th | Guild Esports | 50 VCT points | EU€15,000 (US$16,630) |
7th | Natus Vincere | 45 VCT points | EU€12,000 (US$13,300) |
8th | BBL Esports | 45 VCT points | EU€12,000 (US$13,300) |
9th | Acend | 40 VCT points | EU€10,000 (US$11,080) |
10th | LDN UTD | 40 VCT points | EU€10,000 (US$11,080) |
11th | BIG | 35 VCT points | EU€8,000 (US$8,870) |
12th | SuperMassive Blaze | 35 VCT points | EU€8,000 (US$8,870) |
Format of the tournament
All teams will compete in double-elimination best-of-three matches, except during the Lower Final and Grand Final, which are best-of-five games.
Where to watch VCT EMEA Stage 1 Challengers Playoffs matches live?
Valorant fans can watch the matches live on Riot Games’ official Twitch and YouTube channels:
CHANNEL | PLATFORM |
Valorant Esports | Twitch |
Valorant Esports 2 | Twitch |
Valorant Esports 3 | Twitch |
Valorant Esports | YouTube |
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