Riot Games opened applications in April 2026 for a new two-year VCT partnership cycle beginning in 2027, confirming exactly eight partner teams per region including EMEA. Selection emphasizes community growth, fan engagement, business sustainability, and responsible operations, with established organizations encouraged to apply through regional Riot contacts. Current VCT EMEA squads such as FNATIC, Team Liquid, Team Heretics, NAVI, Karmine Corp, Vitality, and BBL are widely viewed as frontrunners based on recent form and roster stability, while additional contenders like FUT Esports, Gentle Mates, and others seek elevation. The June 2026 format reveal added open qualifiers feeding into Kickoff events, introducing performance-based relegation risk for partners and increasing competitive pressure ahead of final selections.