BBL Esports defy the odds to secure first EMEA spot at Masters Santiago

The first EMEA team has secured their ticket to VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Masters Santiago 2026. BBL Esports came out on top in their Bo5 against Gentle Mates, taking it all the way to claim the win. The final was a hard-fought battle, with both teams giving it their all to reach the first international event of the year. BBL did the unthinkable and took down the veteran teams and brought home the VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - EMEA Kickoff trophy.

VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - EMEA Kickoff

Gentle Mates

2

X

3

BBL Esports

Upper Round 4, Best of 5 - February 13, 2026 - 3:15PM

13

Haven

11

13

Abyss

15

14

Pearl

16

13

Split

4

6

Corrode

13

Gentle Mates

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

marteen

1.20

247

106/81/31

+25

1.31

71.4%

166.5

26%

49%

17

18

bipo

1.04

204

91/79/22

+12

1.15

71.4%

131.7

27%

44%

15

19

Minny

1.02

203

86/85/23

+1

1.01

78.8%

136.9

35%

52%

11

10

GLYPH

0.89

162

67/74/41

-7

0.91

72.5%

105.4

19%

56%

9

7

starxo

0.78

156

62/82/29

-20

0.76

61.0%

107.9

27%

57%

8

6

BBL Esports

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

lovers rock

1.06

224

98/81/19

+17

1.21

69.1%

144.9

17%

54%

15

13

Loita

0.99

187

78/77/47

+1

1.01

68.9%

127.4

40%

39%

7

11

Lar0k

0.99

202

81/85/33

-4

0.95

71.1%

128.7

32%

53%

18

16

Crewen

0.82

175

74/86/21

-12

0.86

60.5%

107.0

33%

46%

12

14

Rosé

0.81

166

70/84/25

-14

0.83

68.5%

113.6

25%

54%

7

6

Two underdogs in the Upper final

Both teams in the Upper Bracket Final came in as underdogs at Kickoff. M8 returned from relegation in the offseason after a rough 2025 campaign, managing just three wins all year. The team underwent an almost complete rebuild, with Patrik "Minny" Hušek as the only returning player, and entered Kickoff with zero pressure and everything to prove.

BBL fully revamped its roster in the offseason, parting ways with veterans like Elias "Jamppi" Olkkonen and signing the entire BBL PCIFIC lineup. The squad had just won VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Ascension EMEA and was picked up by BBL shortly after. As Ascension champions, BBL had already proven their talent, but the real test was how they’d stack up against the region’s elite.

A close Affair

Both teams showed the fans exactly how badly they wanted that first ticket to Santiago. The first three maps were packed with even trades and clutch moments. The opener, Haven, went to M8 13–11, and the next two maps pushed into overtime, but BBL managed to close them out.

With their backs against the wall, M8 shifted into another gear and dominated Split 13–4, tying the series 2–2 and forcing a decider on Corrode. Corrode, however, quickly swung in BBL’s favor. Incredible Operator plays from Umut "lovers rock" Pekdoğan sealed the deal, and BBL clinched the win 13–6 to take it all home.

Though M8 fell short in the end, Martin "marteen" Pátek had a standout series, racking up 106 kills and breaking the previous EMEA Bo5 kill record.

M8 Still in the Race

Even though M8 missed their shot today, they still have two more chances at Kickoff to qualify for Masters Santiago. Their next matchup is against Fnatic in the Middle Final. If they can't take them down, their last shot will be the Lower Final. Sunday's match will solidify which three teams will represent EMEA in Chile.

For more VCT news, stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG.

Featured image source: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games