Turkish teams dominate VCT Ascension EMEA; Qualify for VCT EMEA 2026

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 27/10/2025

BBL PCIFIC and ULF Esports have emerged victorious from the VCT EMEA 2025 Ascension tournament.

Two Ascension slots were available following the relegation of Apeks and Gentle Mates, followed by the expulsion of KOI, with Gentle Mates taking that partnership slot.

The promotion of the two Turkish rosters means that the full team list for VCT EMEA 2026 is now known.

The full list of teams for VCT 2026 is:

• BBL
• Fnatic
• FUT
• Gentle Mates
• GiantX
• Kermine Corp
• Natus Vincere
• Heretics
• Liquid
• Vitality
• ULF Esports
• BBL PCIFIC

BBL PCIFIC and ULF will begin their VCT stints at VCT’s Kickoff event in early January, which qualifies teams to Valorant Masters Santiago.

While Kickoff will not be consequential to BBL PCIFIC or ULF staying in VCT, the event will be important to both teams in finding their footing.

VCT’s two Ascension teams for 2025 were relegated, with Gentle Mates and Apeks having lamentable seasons.

Staying competitive against the partner teams has been a struggle in EU, but G2, NS RedForce, XLG, and DRG have had success in other regions.

BBL PCIFIC and ULF will be hoping to replicate the success of other regions’ ascended teams, but what exactly the teams are playing for is unclear.

Valorant have promised a shake-up to the current system for 2027, implying that the scene will open up in some way from its closed-system model.

However, the 2027 model is yet to be announced, leaving teams in the dark over what their fate will be based on 2026 performances.

BBL PCIFIC and ULF survive group-stage scares to dominate Grand Finals

Both of the Turkish rosters survived the event without losing a series, however, they were at times under threat as ULF had a close series against DNSTY and BBL PCIFIC defeated Twisted Minds by the smallest possible margin.

The Grand Finals were never truly in doubt, as ULF blew Mandatory away in the first map of the Bo5, 13-4, to take control of the series. A close second map. 15-13, put it in their hands before Ascent ascended the team to VCT 2026 in a 13-8 win.

DNSTY took the first map against BBL PCIFIC, but the Turkish roster showed their superiority in their tactical approach, grinding down DNSTY over the course of the following three maps as BBL joined their Affiliate organisation, BBL, in VCT.

The results mean that the top team by Ascension points and the Stage 3 EMEA Challengers will play in the VCT in 2026.

Full VCT Ascension winners list:

EMEA:

• BBL PCIFIC
• ULF
  

Americas:

• ENVY

China:

• Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG)*

Pacific

• Nongshim RedForce*
• SLT

*Indicates the team remain in VCT after successfully defending their spot at VCT Ascension 2025

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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