The excitement around competitive VALORANT is far from over as VCT EMEA Stage 2 is all set to begin this July, continuing the high stakes journey toward Champions Paris. After the intense showdown at Masters Toronto where Paper Rex lifted the trophy, attention now turns to the next and final regional leg of the 2025 season. Riot Games has officially revealed all the key details for this stage including schedule, format, updated map pool, and more.

VCT EMEA Stage 2 kicks off on July sixteenth and runs through five weeks of group stage action, wrapping up on August fifteenth. After a short break, the Playoffs will be held from August twenty first to twenty fourth, followed by the climactic final rounds on August twenty ninth through thirty first. Fans can catch the matches live online or even attend the early fixtures in person at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, with tickets already available for the first three weeks.

The structure of Stage 2 mirrors that of the first stage. Twelve elite teams are divided into two groups, Alpha and Omega, and will face off in a best of three round robin format. At the end of the group stage, the top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs. The top seeded team in each group earns a direct entry to the upper bracket semi finals. Second and third placed teams go to the first round of the upper bracket. The fourth placed team begins their playoff journey from the lower bracket, which means every match during the group stage carries significant weight.

Once in the Playoffs, the competition becomes even fiercer. All series remain best of three until the lower bracket final and Grand Final, which shift to best of five. The top two teams from the Playoffs will earn automatic spots at Champions Paris, VALORANT’s most prestigious end of season event. The remaining two EMEA slots will be determined based on championship points accumulated over the full 2025 season. Fnatic currently leads the standings with fourteen points after finishing second at Masters Toronto.

One of the biggest updates coming into Stage 2 is the change to the competitive map pool. The newly introduced map Corrode will make its tournament debut, offering fresh terrain for strategies and plays. Also making a return is Bind, a fan favorite, while Pearl and Split will be rotated out. The new pool includes Corrode, Lotus, Icebox, Haven, Bind, Ascent, and Sunset. These changes are likely to influence team preparation and draft strategies heading into the group stage.

All twelve teams from Stage 1 are returning, including powerhouses like Fnatic, Team Liquid, and NAVI, as well as rising squads such as Apeks and Gentle Mates. With Champions Paris qualification at stake, every team will be pushing their limits to secure their place at the biggest international event of the year.

Fans can follow all the action through official broadcasts on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. Several popular streamers and creators will also be co streaming the matches, offering commentary, analysis, and behind the scenes content that adds new dimensions to the viewing experience.

Whether you are watching the action unfold live or catching up through creators, VCT EMEA Stage 2 promises thrilling moments, unexpected turns, and a final sprint toward global glory. With a refreshed map pool, intense competition, and a Paris ticket on the line, the stage is set for one of the most explosive chapters in the VALORANT 2025 calendar.

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