VCT Game Changers EMEA 2024: Schedule, Format and Teams

After an incredible 2023 Game Changers season, Riot Games announced new changes they plan to bring to the upcoming 2024 Game Changers season. The new season focuses on having a more extended season than last year and encourages organizations to field their teams along with talent development in the region through open qualifiers. Here are the complete details about the upcoming VCT Game Changers EMEA 2024.

VCT Game Changers EMEA 2024 Format and Schedule

VCT Game Changers EMEA 2024 will start in early January 2024, where teams can participate through Open Qualifiers (OQ) and Closed Qualifiers (CQ). The OQ will be taking place first, where 128 teams will compete against each other in a single elimination bracket for four spots in the CQ.

The top four teams qualified from OQ will compete in the CQ with the teams invited from last year’s VCT Game Changers EMEA Stage 3 to compete in a double elimination bracket, all Bo3, with the top 8 qualifying for the first stage of 2024.

Here are some important dates you need to keep an eye on if you want to sign up for the open qualifiers:

• January 12th to 23rd for the Kickoff
• March 2nd to 13th for the first OQ
• June 8th to June 19th for the second OQ

Apart from these dates, there will be another chance for the players who didn’t qualify through the open qualifiers through the LCQ. Here are the complete details about the LCQ.

The LCQ will be open to all, with teams who qualify through the OQ having a higher seed. The OQ will always have the same number of slots for Contenders, while the LCQ will differ depending on the spots remaining for each Stage. Spots remaining will primarily depend on the outcome of regional tournaments and the status of relegated teams going into the qualifiers. Please note that the LCQ dates are currently subject to change. Here are the dates for LCQ:

• March 9th to 20th for the first
• June 15th to 26th for the second

Game Changers EMEA & EMEA Contenders Format and Teams

After the Game Changers Kickoff event, we will be seeing the Game Changers EMEA & EMEA Contenders, where will be seeing the top eight teams qualified from the Kickoff event joined by two invited teams - BBL Queens and G2 Gozen, who represented the region on the global stage in São Paulo for the Game Changers Championship in 2023!

When considering our goals for Game Changers in 2024, we wanted to increase visibility for our players as we aim to see them move beyond Game Changers into mixed-gender rosters. By changing the tournament structure for Game Changers EMEA to a ten-team format, we ensure the highest level of competition and a brighter spotlight on the players and their stories. This will make EMEA Contenders full of teams hungry to be promoted and go further.

According to VALORANT Esports Staff EMEA Game Changers EMEA 2024 will also introduce relegation. The last two teams from the group stage at each stage will be relegated to Contenders where 30 other teams will stand between them and promotion back into Game Changers EMEA. The 32 teams will consist of teams invited from regional tournaments, those that secured their place via OQs, and the two relegated teams. Only the two best teams from the 32 competing will be promoted to Game Changers EMEA for Stage 2.

Here are the important dates for Game Changers EMEA & EMEA Contenders:

The OQ for the Kickoff will take place from January 26th to 28th, while the CQ will run from February 3rd to 4th. VCT Game Changers EMEA then begins in February and will consist of three Stages throughout the year: VCT Game Changers EMEA Stage 1:

• February 16th - March 11th
• Group Stage: February 16th - 27th
• Play-Offs: March 4th - 11th

VCT Game Changers EMEA Contenders will consist of two Stages starting in March and July, following the Open Qualifiers that feed into this competition. The dates for this can be found below:

VCT Game Changers EMEA Contenders Stage 1:

• March 30th - April 7th

**VCT Game Changers EMEA Contenders Stage 2: **

• July 6th - 14th

Qualification for VCT Game Changers Global Championship

The VCT Game Changers Global Championship is the goal of every player competing in the tournament to become a world champion. The qualification system for the Global Championship is the same as the 2023 season.

The first team to represent EMEA on the global stage will be the winner of the year's final Stage in September, and the second will be decided by which team has accumulated the most circuit points throughout the year.

If you want regular updates for the upcoming Game Changers EMEA 2024, follow the VALORANT ESPORTS EMEA socials, including news on the new registration platform!