The 2027 VALORANT competitive season in Europe is kicking off with an updated format. In the 2027-2028 cycle, only eight organizations will retain their VCT EMEA partner status. Four additional teams will be able to qualify for the season's first major LAN tournament (Kickoff) through regional qualifiers: two slots are allocated for Europe, and another two for the MENA and Türkiye regions.
The European qualifier will feature 16 teams. Under the updated rules from Riot Games, eight teams receive direct invites straight to the playoff stage, while the remaining eight spots will go to the winners of the Open Qualifiers, where any team can participate.
Currently, the organizers have confirmed most of the invited participants. Joblife, Mandatory, Eintracht Frankfurt, UCAM Esports, MIR, and NAVI Junior have advanced to the playoffs. The Ukrainian organization Natus Vincere, which will no longer hold partner status next season, will continue competing with its youth roster. The remaining invitees will be announced later.
Competition for the two European slots promises to be incredibly fierce. French organizations Joblife and Mandatory are preparing for the tournament with serious ambitions. Joblife, which in 2026 knocked Fnatic out of contention for the playoffs and Champions, has bolstered its roster with hoody and al0rante. Mandatory, in turn, has unveiled a star-studded international roster: starxo, MiniBoo, Kicks, runneR, and Veqaj.
The Open Qualifiers start on November 5. The full list of 16 participants will be finalized by November 15, after which the playoff stage will begin. The decisive matches will take place in an online format from November 25–26 to December 5 — determining the two teams that will advance to the VCT 2027: EMEA Kickoff.
NAVI Junior roster for the upcoming qualifier:
As a reminder, Riot Games Revamps VCT EMEA Kickoff Europe Qualifier Playoffs Format Following Community Criticism
