Red Bull Home Ground: Teams, format, and UK time zone schedule

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 12/11/2025

November 13th marks the start of the popular Valorant off-season tournament, Red Bull Home Ground.

The 5th Red Bull Home Ground tournament will take place in New York City, featuring a global Play-In stage, a high-stakes Main Event, a Showmatch, and more. 

Main Event qualified and Play-In teams

Eight teams will compete in the Red Bull Home Ground Main Event. However, only six teams have pre-qualified. Any other teams must qualify through the Play-Ins. 

The following teams are automatically qualified for the Main Event:

• T1 
• Fnatic
• G2 Esports 
• Zeta Division 
• Sentinels 
• NRG 

Meanwhile, the following teams will compete in the Play-In Group Stage and Play-In Knockouts:

• Cloud9 (Invited to Play-Ins)
• ENVY (North American Qualifier)
• Eintracht Frankfurt (German Qualifier)
• BLX Corp (Dutch Qualifier)
• BXL Zoo (Belgian Qualifier)
• Team Spain/KlanNaLan (Spanish Qualifier)
• Cubert Academy (Canadian Qualifier)
• Flow Tim Cheese (Chilean Qualifier)
• Team Ra’ad (Egyptian Qualifier)
• Team Fennel (Japanese Qualifier)
• Bonk (EMEA LCQ) 

After INZONE Clash confirmed the Fnatic 2026 Valorant roster, the team will play with Sylvain ‘Veqaj’ Pattyn, their new flex player and replacement for Timofey ‘Chronicle’ Khromov.  

Red Bull Home Ground Format 

Red Bull Home Ground begins with the Play-Ins on November 13th. Play-In teams are divided into four Groups (A-D) and play best-of-one Round Robin games. The top team from each Group proceeds to the Play-In Knockouts. 

Play-In Knockout games are also best-of-one. The four winners from the Group Stage are split into two qualifying matches: Group A Seed 1 vs Group B Seed 1, and Group C Seed 1 vs Group D Seed 1. Both winners of these games qualify for the Main Event. 

After the Play-In Stage concludes, Red Bull Home Ground follows a classic eight-team Double Elimination Bracket. 

Similar to the Play-In Stage, both Upper Bracket Rounds 1-2 and Lower Bracket Rounds 1-3 are played as a best-of-one. However, the Upper and Lower Bracket Finals are played as a best-of-three. 

Then, the Grand Final will be a best-of-five showdown.  

Red Bull Home Ground UK-adjusted schedule 

Due to Red Bull Homeground taking place in New York City, USA, matches typically take place in the evening or early morning in the UK. 

The full match schedule on a GMT time zone is as follows:

Play-In Matches – November 13th:

• Play-In Round 1 Matches (Groups A-D) – 20:00 pm GMT (15:00 pm EST)
• Play-In Round 2 Matches (Groups A-D) – 22:00 pm GMT (17:00 pm EST)
• Play-In Round 3 Matches (Groups A-D) – 00:00 am GMT (early morning November 14th) (19:00 pm EST)
• Play-In Qualifying Matches (Group A #1 vs Group B #1 and Group C #1 vs Group D #1): 02:00 am GMT (early morning November 14th) (21:00 pm EST)

Upper and Lower Brackets – November 14th:

• Upper Bracket Quarterfinals Matches –  20:00 pm GMT (15:00 pm EST)
• Upper Bracket Semifinals Matches – 21:00 pm GMT (16:00 pm EST)
• Lower Bracket Round 1 Matches – 22:00 pm GMT (17:00 pm EST)
• Lower Bracket Quarterfinals Matches – 00:00 am GMT (early morning November 15th) (19:00 pm EST)
• Lower Bracket Semifinal Match – 02:00 am GMT (early morning November 15th) (21:00 pm EST)

Upper and Lower Bracket Finals Day – November 15th:

• Upper Bracket Finals Match – 19:00 pm GMT (14:00 pm EST)
• Dorm Ground (side event) Final – 22:00 pm GMT (17:00 pm EST)
• Lower Bracket Finals Match – 00:00 am GMT (early morning November 16th) (19:00 pm EST)

Grand Finals Day – 16 November 2025:

• Cons vs Pros Showmatch – 19:00 pm GMT (14:00 pm EST)
• Opening Ceremony Performance – 22:00 pm GMT (17:00 pm EST)
• Grand Finals Match – 22:30 pm GMT (17:30 pm EST)

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

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