The Karmine Corp organization secured the VCT 2026 EMEA Stage 2 championship title, defeating Team Liquid in the grand final with a score of 3:1 (13:7 on Sunset, 13:6 on Ascent, 7:13 on Lotus, and 13:10 on Haven). The regional tournament took place from August 20 to August 30, with eight of the best teams competing for a $250,000 prize pool and spots at the event of the year — VALORANT Champions 2026.
The path to the decisive match was determined in the bracket finals. On August 28, Karmine Corp defeated FUT Esports 2:0 in the upper bracket to claim the first direct spot at the World Championship. In the lower bracket, Team Liquid first eliminated Fire Flux Esports (2:0), and on August 29 swept FUT Esports 3:0 in the lower final, securing the second direct berth.
Following Stage 2, the EMEA region will delegate four teams to VALORANT Champions 2026: the two tournament finalists (Karmine Corp and Team Liquid), as well as two rosters leading in championship points (FUT Esports with 18 points and Team Vitality with 14 points).
Final standings and prize distribution:
• 1st place: Karmine Corp — $100,000 (Champions 2026 spot)
• 2nd place: Team Liquid — $65,000 (Champions 2026 spot)
• 3rd place: FUT Esports — $40,000 (Champions 2026 spot via points)
• 4th place: Fire Flux Esports — $25,000
• 5th–6th place: BBL Esports and Enterprise Esports — $10,000 each
This triumph marked a key achievement for Karmine Corp's updated roster, who, after signing three new players in early 2026, will attend an international tournament for the first time since Masters Madrid 2024. The main surprise of the stage was the performance of Challenger League teams — Enterprise, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Fire Flux Esports — who made it to the playoffs.
On the other hand, the main disappointments of the season were Fnatic, who were eliminated as early as the Play-In stage, as well as GIANTX and Team Heretics, who lost to underdogs throughout the regular season and missed their chance to qualify.
The VALORANT Champions 2026 tournament will take place in Shanghai from September 24 to October 18. Concurrently with EMEA, other regions are concluding their qualifications: in China, TYLOO and JD Gaming have already secured their spots.
As a reminder: TYLOO Win VCT China Stage 2 and Secure Slot at VALORANT Champions 2026.
