The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2022 Stage 2 Challengers playoffs begin on Friday, with six teams fighting for three spots at Masters 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark. After an interesting playoffs at Stage 1 Challengers, the EMEA region have another gauntlet to go through to represent their region at a live event in Europe.
The #VCTEMEA Stage 2 Playoffs Bracket. pic.twitter.com/L1QlB0T5cS
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) June 14, 2022
The teams at the VCT EMEA 2022 Stage 2 Challengers playoffs
Here are the six teams that have qualified for the VCT EMEA 2022 Stage 2 Challengers playoffs, with mostly familiar teams from Stage 1 Challengers. Only one new team is back in the playoffs, and it’s the 2021 VALORANT Champions themselves:
- Fnatic (5-0)
- Guild Esports (4-1)
- Acend (4-1)
- Team Liquid (4-1)
- FunPlus Phoenix (3-2)
- M3 Champions (2-3)
Fnatic are heading into Stage 2 Challengers undefeated and leading the group, just like they did in Stage 1 Challengers in 2022. FunPlus Phoenix, while in the playoffs again, squeaked in as the third seed in their group.
Part of this was due to the resurgence of Acend, who went from missing the Stage 1 Challengers playoffs to getting second seed in their group. M3 Champions are back in the playoffs again, although they have a losing record heading into it.
The format, schedule and how to watch
The double elimination format for competitive VALORANT tournaments is back in the EMEA region. Unlike the NA region, since only six teams are competing, no teams begin in the lower bracket.
The first match is between Acend and M3 Champions, a rematch of the Champions finals last year. After that, Team Liquid and FunPlus Phoenix face off against each other. Guild Esports then face the winner of Acend and M3C, while Fnatic faces the winner of Team Liquid and FPX.
The event starts on Friday at 10 a.m. ET, with Guild and Fnatic playing the day after against the first two victors. Like the NA Stage 2 Challengers playoffs, the second weekend holds the second half of the tournament, including the finals. These finals are set for June 26 at 10 a.m. ET.
The tournament will be broadcast on the known sites, including the VALORANT esports website, YouTube and Twitch.
