Riot Games has confirmed that KOI, one of the most talked-about teams in the VALORANT scene, will no longer hold a partnered spot in the VCT EMEA for the 2026 season. The decision, announced publicly just days after KOI was privately informed, has ignited controversy and disappointment within the esports community.

According to Riot’s official statement, KOI’s removal was tied to inconsistent performances and a failure to meet contractual obligations. While Riot made clear that the organisation’s exit aligned with the terms of its agreement, KOI’s co-founder Ibai Llanos and OverActive Media CEO Adam Adamou voiced frustration with how the decision was handled.

In his response, Ibai acknowledged the team’s struggles in both performance and content creation but called Riot’s handling of the situation “less than desirable.” He pointed to communication gaps, especially regarding his contract clause that required him to co-stream matches. Ibai explained that when he offered to personally broadcast the rest of KOI’s games, Riot dismissed the proposal, saying it “did not matter either way.” This left him questioning whether streaming obligations were ever truly the issue.

Adam Adamou also criticised the move, describing it as sudden and unnecessary, though he admitted Riot acted within its contractual rights. He stressed that KOI had fulfilled all requirements for 2024 and had presented strong plans for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, only for those to be rejected. Adamou highlighted that the decision seemed rooted more in contractual technicalities than in the team’s competitive record.

Ibai further admitted that KOI had weaknesses in multiple areas. “In terms of content, we have not been the best team. In skin sales, we came last. And in terms of sports, we did very poorly,” he said during a stream. He concluded that it was ultimately a combination of failures that led Riot to force KOI out of the league.

KOI’s time in the VCT EMEA was a rollercoaster ride. Backed by Ibai’s massive influence and streaming reach, the team became an instant fan favourite when it entered the league. However, results in the server failed to match the hype. Apart from a respectable showing at the VCT EMEA Kickoff event in 2024, KOI consistently landed near the bottom of the standings, rarely placing above ninth.

The removal also ends KOI’s plans for a redemption arc in 2026. According to Ibai, the organisation had already begun preparing its rebuild, securing a coach and working toward a competitive revival. Those efforts will now remain unrealised as the team exits VALORANT’s biggest stage.

For Riot Games, the decision marks a bold but divisive move. While it highlights the publisher’s desire to uphold performance and business standards in its partner ecosystem, it has also stirred frustration among fans who believed KOI still had the potential for a comeback.

What happens next for KOI remains uncertain. The organisation could explore opportunities in other VALORANT circuits or focus on its growing presence in other esports. As for Riot, the decision raises fresh questions about transparency and communication with teams that help shape the competitive scene.

 

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