Team Heretics wins VCT 2026 EMEA Stage 1

At the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, Germany, the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA Stage 1 event came to a conclusion on 17 May 2026, and the whole Grand Final kept us on the edge of our collective virtual seats.

After an exciting Group Stage, eight teams remained, fighting for three spots at Masters London and one spot at the Esports World Cup 2026 tournament.

In the opening round of the double-elimination bracket, Team Heretics suffered a devastating and surprising reverse-sweep loss against Eternal Fire. With their backs against the wall, one loss away from elimination, Team Herectics powered up.

Team Heretics went on a brilliant lower bracket run, first beating down BBL Esports with a clean 2-0, then reverse-sweeping Fnatic. They took revenge on Eternal Fire with a 2-1 reverse-sweep and eliminated FUT Esports after a 3-1 win in the lower bracket final.

The Grand Final of VCT 2026 EMEA Stage 1 went the distance, with a back-and-forth affair that saw Team Vitality take a 2-1 lead against Team Heretics. However, Team Heretics pulled off a fantastic comeback to secure the final two maps, and thereby win 3-2.

Congratulations to Team Heretics for winning the VCT 2026 EMEA Stage 1 tournament, thereby lifting the coveted trophy, claiming a spot at Masters London, and the EWC 2026 event. Team Vitality and FUT Esports also earned spots at Masters London to represent the region.

Final VCT 2026 EMEA Stage 1 standings

Check out the table below, which features the complete and final standings of the VCT 2026 EMEA Stage 1 tournament.

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Header image via Riot Games.