Is Gentle Mates return to VCT a cynical move from Riot?

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 08/10/2025

VCT EMEA have announced that Gentle Mates will take the partnership slot in VCT EMEA for 2026, vacated by KOI.

KOI were removed from the partnership program following “a breach of the team’s contractual agreement with the league.”

The move sparked a truncated process to fill the vacant partner slot, with two more teams set to join the league through VCT EMEA’s Ascension tournament, starting October 18.

Did Riot target Gentle Mates for the slot?

VCT EMEA stated, “After thorough review, Gentle Mates achieved the highest overall score,” leading to their admission as a partner.

They added, “As a result, they have been offered a one-year contract through the end of 2026, when all VCT EMEA partnerships conclude”

The decision has raised questions over the competitive efficacy of the process, with many viewing it as a cynical move to return a popular organisation to VCT.

With Gentle Mates suffering automatic relegation after a 0-5 regular season in VCT EMEA Stage 2, the org was guaranteed to be out of the league until 2027, with the organisation openly considering wrapping up the Valorant division if Riot did not step in.

KOI’s co-founder, Ibai Llanos, openly stated that Riot may have found Gentle Mates’ relegation a prescient issue when considering terminating KOI’s contract.

Do Gentle Mates meet Riot’s criteria for VCT partnership?

Despite misgivings, looking through the stated list of criteria, it is hard to criticise Riot’s ultimate decision for a process that seemingly had a short deadline, albeit of their choosing.

• Organisational goals for the 2026 season
• Collaboration, strategic alignment, and channel strategy
• Operational readiness
• Competitive plans and player support systems
• Community resonance and ability to generate fandom

Although the discussions and agreements are not public, what can be known works in Gentle Mates’ favour.

What has become evident in the expulsion of KOI is Riot’s emphasis on community engagement, with Ibai Llanos claiming that one of the reasons for KOI’s contract breach was his inability to co-stream matches.

Gentle Mates certainly have a “Community resonance and ability to generate fandom.” Gentle Mates co-founder, Squeezie, recently hosted a racing event which attracted over 1.36 million concurrent views on Twitch, and drew 200,000 ticket sales.

The ability of French creators to drive engagement was evident on social media from the moment KOI were removed, with the initial posts regarding it filled with Gentle Mates fans hoping it would be their salvation.

In terms of ‘Operational readiness’, Gentle Mates, having recently been relegated, seemingly still had the infrastructure to compete in Valorant at short notice, and three active players remaining under contract.

The outstanding question mark regarding Gentle Mates is their ability to compete at a high level following their relegation, which saw them lose several close series in 2025, which sealed their fate.

Yet Gentle Mates, now a partner, are in for a very different experience in 2026.

Valorant head at Gentle Mates, Marceau ‘Placido’ Lambert, noted an inability to attract top talent when Gentle Mates were an Ascension team, stating, “From the offseason, our status weighed heavily: many players didn’t even consider us.” (translated)

They are now on equal footing with their competition in terms of nabbing talent.

Additionally, without the pressure of relegation, perhaps Gentle Mates can finally turn those 12 rounds into 13 and get over the line in a few more series.

The paradox of Gentle Mates in VCT EMEA 2026

The irony for Gentle Mates was that when their whole future rested on their competitive level, they were in a position least capable of being competitive.

Unable to secure players, to build a competitive roster when surrounded by partnered teams that could guarantee a future in Tier 1 of Valorant.

Now they are in that partnership driving seat, albeit that position is only guaranteed until the VCT revamp in 2027.

Yet their future in Valorant’s ecosystem may no longer depend on competitive level, but on core metrics that VCT will monitor with a view to growing the league.

For Gentle Mates, their main goal may no longer be a competitive roster, but an engaged fanbase, drawing viewership, and guaranteeing that their top content creators are part of the process.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

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