VCT EMEA Stage 1 Resumes on May 2: Everything You Need to Know

After a temporary halt due to technical concerns, VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1 is set to resume this Friday, May 2, bringing fans back into the action with the two matches that will finally close out the group stage.

Show Returns with Upgraded Equipment and Testing

Over the past 48 hours, Riot’s tournament operations team has worked around the clock to address the technical issues that paused play. According to VCT officials, the on-site infrastructure has now been fully upgraded and rigorously tested under match-like conditions.

Three complete map playtests were conducted using pro players’ own peripherals to simulate the authentic environment of a live match. These sessions focused on:

• Validating performance on Patch 10.07, the build used for Week 5
• Running simultaneous ability checks to stress test game stability
• Capturing and analyzing game log data offline
• Gathering direct player feedback on system responsiveness

Feedback from players indicated a significant improvement in game stability and performance compared to earlier in the stage. While some minor issues were still observed in the early rounds of test maps, officials have stated that the system’s overall performance now meets the standards required for competition to resume.

May 2 Schedule: What’s Happening

• Time: Matches begin at 17:00 CEST
• Location: On-site arena, without a live audience

The resumed match between Team Liquid and Karmine Corp will kick things off. At the time of the interruption, Team Liquid was leading 1-0, but due to the extended delay and the technical changes, the map veto process will be restarted to ensure fairness.

Notably, Split has been removed from the pool, meaning teams will have to adjust their strategies and prep anew. This decision ensures that neither side benefits from extended prep time on previously selected maps.

By skipping Map 1 selection (which was already played) and reshuffling the remaining vetoes, Riot aims to reintroduce the uncertainty and spontaneity that are essential to the competitive map selection process.

Once the Liquid vs. KC match wraps up, Fnatic vs. Team Heretics will close out the group stage.

Looking Ahead: Playoffs and Stability

Riot’s statement made it clear that while the immediate goal is to finish the regular season under stable conditions, work will continue behind the scenes to address any lingering technical inconsistencies, particularly those affecting early-round gameplay.

The timing also provides a short but necessary buffer for teams to recalibrate before the playoff stage begins, ensuring that competitive readiness isn’t compromised by the recent pause.

A Message to the Community

In closing, the VCT EMEA team extended thanks to players, teams, talent, and the broader community for their patience and feedback throughout the past week. The temporary break in competition was clearly a tough decision, but Riot's transparent communication and swift technical response suggest a renewed commitment to maintaining the highest standards for competitive integrity.

Fans can tune in live on the VCT EMEA Twitch and YouTube channels this Friday at 17:00 CET to watch the action resume and to see EMEA finally catch up with the rest of the regions.

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: Michal Konkol/Riot Games