VCT Ascension EMEA returns to Berlin with a new format, GC EMEA to be held in Istanbul

As the VALORANT Esports season ramps up, EMEA fans have two major LAN events to mark on their calendars: VCT Ascension EMEA 2025 in Berlin and the Game Changers EMEA Stage 3 Finals in Istanbul. These events will showcase the region’s top Tier 2 talent, offering intense competition and the chance for rising stars to cement their place in the spotlight.

VCT Ascension EMEA 2025

Scheduled for October 19–26 at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, VCT Ascension EMEA 2025 brings the region’s top Tier 2 teams into a revamped tournament format. At stake is one precious VCT EMEA slot, offering teams the chance to take to the stage in the big leagues in 2026.

All matches will be played on LAN, ensuring fair play and peak performance. Early rounds will unfold in the High Performance Rooms, while the Grand Final will feature a live audience and a best-of-five series that could define the future for one rising team.

Ascension Format

In 2025, the Ascension tournament tightens its format, reducing the field from 10 teams to just 6. These teams will battle through a double-elimination bracket, with best-of-three matches throughout, and best-of-five showdowns in the Lower Final and Grand Final.

Qualifiers Overhaul

The qualification process for Ascension is as follows:

• 1 spot goes to the Challengers EMEA Stage 3 winner
• 3 slots to the top teams on Ascension Circuit Points (academy teams excluded)

The final 2 slots depend on the Stage 2 performances of VCT EMEA squads Apeks and Gentle Mates.

• To retain their place in VCT EMEA without entering Ascension, either Apeks or Gentle Mates must qualify for VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions in Paris. If they do, they’ll skip Ascension entirely.
• However, if both teams qualify, only the one with the better performance at Champions will stay in Tier 1. The lower-placing team will be relegated to Ascension. In the case of an identical finish, the tiebreaker will be determined in the following order:
  • Total Championship Points
  • VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2 placement
  • VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1 placement
  • VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Kickoff placement

In this scenario, the 4th-ranked Tier 2 team on the Ascension Circuit Points leaderboard will take the final slot in the six-team bracket.

If neither team makes it to Champions, they can still enter Ascension by meeting one of the following criteria:

• Reaching the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs
• Finishing in the top 8 overall (including joint 8th) via Championship Points

If either team meets these conditions, they’ll enter Ascension as a top seed, with a chance to reclaim their spot in VCT EMEA. No additional Tier 2 teams will qualify unless only one of Apeks or Gentle Mates meets the criteria. In that case, the 4th-ranked Tier 2 team via Circuit Points will claim the final spot.

If both teams fail to meet any qualification criteria, their slots will be handed to the 4th and 5th ranked Tier 2 teams on the Circuit Points leaderboard, guaranteeing that two new challengers will enter VCT EMEA next season

Game Changers EMEA Returns to Istanbul

Following the success of 2024’s electric event, Game Changers EMEA Stage 3 Finals return to Istanbul on November 2, once again hosted at the iconic ESA Arena.

The event will start off with the Group Stage and move into the Playoffs, running from September 30 to October 25, all culminating into a Bo5 Grand Final on November 2. The final promises not only glory but qualification to the Game Changers Championship, with three EMEA spots on the line - one for the winner and two via Circuit Points. This will be capped off by the Best-of-5 Grand Final on the big stage.

This event isn’t just about competition, it’s also about community. Last year’s crowd brought the passion, and Riot is inviting fans back to recreate that unforgettable energy.

Tickets and Fan Access

Fans eager to catch these events live should stay tuned. Riot will announce ticket sales for both Berlin and Istanbul via their official VALORANT Esports EMEA social channels in the coming weeks.

Between Ascension and Game Changers, the final months of 2025 will serve as a launching pad for future Tier 1 heroes. With LAN events, revised formats, and high stakes in play, Berlin and Istanbul are set to become the stages where careers are made.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games