With ULF Esports and PCIFIC Esports punching their tickets to VCT EMEA after convincing Finals wins over Mandatory and DNSTY, the final 12 teams for the 2026 season are now locked in. Meanwhile, Gentlemates replace Movistar KOI in the league following KOI’s relegation from VCT EMEA due to a “breach of the team’s contractual agreement with the league.”.
With all 3 slots now confirmed, the VCT EMEA 2026 lineup is officially set — all 12 teams are locked in, and the region is gearing up for a stacked season ahead.
Below is a look at all the confirmed EMEA rosters for Season 2026 — the final franchised year before organizations face re-evaluation in 2027.
Let’s break down how these rosters look on paper, compare them with other EMEA teams rating them from scores out of 10.
FNATIC:
With a runners-up finish at Champions 2025, FNATIC enter the upcoming season with a major roster change, as Veqaj replaces Chronicle and takes over the Sentinel role. On paper, this move appears to be a downgrade compared to last year’s lineup, presenting a significant challenge for FNATIC as they look to maintain their dominance both regionally and on the international stage.
The absence of Chronicle — one of the most successful players in the team’s history — is expected to have a noticeable impact. FNATIC narrowly missed out on a championship last season after falling short against NRG, and replicating that level of consistency without him will be no easy task.
That said, FNATIC remain a fundamentally strong roster with enough structure and experience to continue dominating regional competition. However, their recurring struggles in Grand Finals continue to loom large, raising questions about whether this lineup can finally overcome its long-standing championship hurdle.
Rating : 8/10
TEAM HERETICS:
Team Heretics endured a comparatively underwhelming season by their own standards, finishing 5–6th at Champions 2025. Heading into the new year, the organization has opted for a roster refresh, with ComeBack stepping in to replace MiniBoo and usher in a new era for the lineup.
While much of the core remains intact, the integration of a new-to-the-scene duelist is expected to reshape their approach, bringing added firepower and a more aggressive playstyle. Despite the changes, Heretics are still projected to compete among the top echelon of EMEA teams this season.
On paper, the move represents an upgrade over last year’s configuration. However, its true impact will ultimately be defined by results once the season unfolds.
Rating : 7/10
GIANTX:
GIANTX enjoyed a strong season with their current roster, prompting the organization to retain the lineup heading into next year. The team delivered encouraging performances during EMEA Stage 2 and at Champions, especially considering the difficult path they navigated to qualify for the event.
Momentum has only continued in the off-season, with a Project Blender tournament victory highlighting improved coordination and cohesion within the roster. This growing synergy significantly boosts GIANTX’s prospects for the upcoming season, as they once again set their sights on international qualification.
With more time together, this already solid lineup has the potential to convert consistency into even stronger results moving forward.
Rating : 8/10
TEAM LIQUID:
Team Liquid showed encouraging form at the regional level last season but failed to replicate the same impact on the international stage, prompting the organization to pursue a significant overhaul heading into the upcoming VCT season. The additions of purp0, wayne, and MiniBoo alongside the retained core of nAts and kamo signal a clear shift toward increased firepower and internal role restructuring.
That said, the exact role distribution within this lineup remains an open question. With as many as four players historically associated with duelist-heavy roles, role adjustments will be critical before consistent results can materialize. If those transitions are handled effectively, this roster arguably represents Liquid’s highest ceiling in terms of untapped potential and long-term result conversion in recent years.
On paper, the changes are an upgrade over last season. However, improved personnel alone does not guarantee immediate success, even at the regional level. Building chemistry, refining the strategic playbook, and stabilizing roles will take time — factors that could define Liquid’s trajectory early in the season.
Rating : 7/10
BBL Esports:
Coming off a strong Stage 3 finish in 3rd place and falling just short of qualifying for Champions, BBL made one of the boldest calls of the offseason — a complete roster reset. Instead of minor tweaks, the organization opted to promote the entire BBL Pacific Ascension-winning core straight into Tier 1.
The new-look lineup features Crewen, Lar0k, Loita, Rose, and Lovers Rock, a unit that showcased elite coordination, discipline, and clutch factor during their Ascension run. While the move may appear desperate on the surface, it’s actually a high-upside gamble — injecting raw hunger and proven Tier-2 synergy into the VCT ecosystem.
That said, the transition to Tier 1 won’t be instant. The pace, depth of playbooks, and consistency demanded at the top level will test this roster early on. If given time and the right strategic backing, however, BBL could very well unlock a surprisingly competitive ceiling with this young core.
Rating: 6/10
NAVI :
NAVI had a fairly underwhelming 2025 campaign, with their peak result being a 4th-place finish in EMEA Stage 2 — far from the standards the org is known for. That middling year pushed NAVI toward a structural reset rather than a full rebuild, highlighted by ANGE1 transitioning into the Head Coach role, while Filu and sociablEE take charge of shaping the team’s new direction.
With limited offseason tournament exposure and an entirely new coaching dynamic, expectations heading into the upcoming season remain cautious. This iteration of NAVI feels very much like a work in progress, where early-stage experimentation will be key.
On paper, the roster shows promise, but the real test will be in finding their identity — locking down ideal compositions, defining map strengths, and building consistency under the new system. If those pieces fall into place, NAVI could steadily climb back into contention, but for now, their true ceiling is yet to be revealed.
Rating: 6/10
KC:
Karmine Corp, much like NAVI, endured a disastrous 2025 season, one that forced the organization into making significant roster changes heading into the new year. The additions of dos9, Lewn, and Sheydos signal a clear shift in direction, focusing on rebuilding both structure and confidence after a year to forget.
However, the departure of marquee firepower in Marteen leaves a noticeable hole in KC’s offensive punch. While the new pieces add depth, replacing that raw carry potential won’t be straightforward. A key storyline will be Sheydos stepping in as IGL, effectively succeeding Saadhak and bringing a sense of homegrown leadership to the roster. The existing rapport between coach ENGH and Sheydos could prove crucial, potentially accelerating chemistry and tactical cohesion.
Overall, this version of KC looks more balanced than last year, blending improved firepower with clearer leadership at both the in-game and coaching level. The expectation will be simple but demanding: convert structure into results and push for qualification to international events. Whether this roster can make that leap will define KC’s 2026 trajectory.
Rating: 7/10
TEAM VITALITY:
Team Vitality are coming off a disastrous 2025 season, one that left little room for excuses and forced the org into making sweeping changes ahead of the new year. Instead of a full teardown, Vitality chose to retain Derke as the cornerstone while surrounding him with proven championship pedigree in the form of Chronicle, Sayonara, Profek, and Jamppi — a move that instantly raises the roster’s ceiling.
The rebuild doesn’t stop at the server. Vitality also secured Scutt as head coach, bringing him over from FNATIC, adding tactical depth and experience from one of EMEA’s most successful systems. This blend of elite firepower and structured coaching signals a clear intent: immediate contention, not a long-term project.
On paper, these changes firmly place Vitality among the top-tier EMEA rosters. While recent offseason results have only shown flashes rather than dominance, the foundation is undeniably strong. If chemistry clicks and roles stabilize early, this roster has all the tools to turn last year’s collapse into a full-scale resurgence.
Rating : 9/10
FUT Esports:
FUT Esports have opted for continuity over chaos, retaining the majority of their core while making targeted additions in KROSTALY, baha, and Assistant Coach Bambino. With the starting five already locked in, FUT head into the new season with far fewer question marks compared to many of their EMEA counterparts.
On paper, this roster looks as lethal as ever — FUT’s trademark firepower remains top-tier and capable of overwhelming teams on raw aim alone. However, familiar concerns still linger. Their strategic depth has historically fallen off in the later stages of series, and that lack of adaptability continues to limit their ceiling against elite opposition.
Compounding the issue is a relatively shallow map pool, which makes them predictable over long tournaments and best-of-threes. Unless FUT manage to expand both their tactical playbook and comfort maps, these same weaknesses could once again hamper their chances in the upcoming season, despite all the talent at their disposal.
Rating : 6/10
Gentle Mates (M8) :
Gentle Mates, stepping in to replace Movistar KOI, endured a brutal debut year after ascending in 2024, struggling to find consistency at the Tier 1 level. That disappointing showing forced the org’s hand, leading to a significant roster overhaul ahead of the upcoming season.
The revamped lineup brings in GLYPH, Marteen, Bipo, and starxo, while Minny remains as the lone holdover. This rebuild is a clear blend of hungry Tier 2 talent paired with proven Tier 1 experience, particularly in the additions of Marteen and starxo — a mix that could prove volatile but exciting.
On paper, this version of Gentle Mates looks surprisingly solid, with starxo taking on IGL duties and a roster where every player is capable of delivering raw firepower. The main concern, however, lies in overall experience and cohesion. How quickly the Tier 2 prospects can sync with the established veterans will likely determine whether Gentle Mates can escape the bottom tier and evolve into a genuine dark horse in the upcoming year.
Rating : 7/10
ULF Esports:
ULF Esports punched their ticket to VCT 2026 with a flawless Ascension run, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant Tier-2 squads heading into Tier 1. Their promoted roster — nekky, audaz, s0pp, echo, and Favian — is stacked with raw aim and confidence, a lineup that thrived on momentum and explosive individual performances throughout Ascension.
On paper, this team is heavy on firepower, capable of matching blows with established names. However, the real test lies ahead. Their transition into Tier 1, where opponents bring deeper playbooks, mid-round adaptations, and layered utility usage, will determine how far this roster can truly go. How quickly they adapt to diverse strategic styles will be the defining factor of their rookie season.
Adding to the uncertainty, ULF Esports have yet to announce a head coach, leaving the coaching structure unresolved for now. Until that piece is locked in, this roster remains a high-upside but volatile prospect — dangerous in aim duels, yet still searching for long-term structure and stability at the top level.
Rating : 6/10
PCIFIC Espor:
PCIFIC Esports find themselves at a crossroads after the entire Ascension-winning core departed to BBL Esports, forcing the organization into a full-scale rebuild. The early pieces of this new project include Qpert, Seven, and NINJA, with two remaining slots still unannounced, leaving the roster far from complete.
A notable addition comes on the staff side, with Leader — former head coach of LOUD — stepping in to lead the rebuild. While his pedigree brings credibility and structure, the current lineup looks underwhelming compared to the Turkish powerhouse squad that previously carried PCIFIC to Ascension glory.
With the roster still unfinished and roles undefined, uncertainty surrounds PCIFIC heading into the upcoming season. Until the final pieces are locked in and the team identity begins to take shape, this project feels very much like a reset year, where expectations remain low and patience will be key.
Rating: 5/10
This concludes our VCT EMEA 2026 roster rundown as things stand, with a few lineups still yet to be officially announced. As teams finalize their projects and remaining pieces fall into place, the landscape is bound to evolve.
We’ll be updating this article as and when new roster announcements and staff confirmations drop, so stay tuned for the latest changes heading into the 2026 season.
Stay on a look out for VCT China roster mania for upcoming season as well.
