Gentle Mates is set to join the upcoming Valorant Champions Tour EMEA 2026 as one of the new additions to the event, Riot Games revealed on October 7th.
The French organization was relegated from VCT EMEA in August 2025 following their devastating finish with only 3 wins and 10 losses.
Gentle Mates has been given a one-year contract, making them a part of the tier-one VCT circuit until the end of 2026 and filling the void left by Movistar KOI after the organization’s partnership agreement was terminated by Riot following “a breach of the team’s contractual agreement with the league.”
“When the opportunity to apply presented itself, it was a no-brainer: Valorant is part of Gentle Mates’ DNA,” Director of Gentle Mates, Marceau Lambert, said in a statement. “Since our rise through Ascension, we have brought a strong identity, an engaged community, and a unique energy to the league. But for us, that’s only half the story. The other half will be played out on the field.”
According to a press release, Gentle Mates secured the highest overall score in the team selection evaluation. The criteria considered included organizational goals for the 2026 season, collaboration and strategic alignment, channel strategy, operational readiness, competitive plans, and player support systems, as well as community resonance and the ability to generate fandom.