2025 VCT EMEA Ascension and Game Changers Stage 3 Finals return to Berlin and Istanbul

The 2025 VCT EMEA Ascension and the Game Changers Stage 3 Finals will be back to Berlin and Istanbul, respectively.

Scheduled for October, Ascension EMEA will take place at the Riot Games Arena, while the GC Stage 3 Finals will head to the ESA Arena in November.

The tournament will feature some of the best Tier 2 VALORANT teams in the region battling from October 18th to 26th for a spot in the 2026 VCT EMEA. 

Based on feedback from pro teams last year, Riot has decided to organise all matches in a LAN setting to deliver the best possible experience.

“We made the decision to bring all six teams from across the EMEA region to the Riot Games Arena in Berlin for the entirety of the tournament. This marks a shift from last year and allows every team the opportunity to compete on LAN throughout the event, enhancing competitive integrity and ensuring a level playing field,” Riot stated.

However, the audience will be allowed only on the Grand Final day, with the rest of the matches played in Pro Player High Performance Rooms to strike the ‘right balance between player experience and sustainability.’

These rooms are currently being refurbished with upgraded PCs and other equipment to meet the highest standards.

EMEA Ascension will follow a double-elimination bracket format, with each series being best-of-three, except for the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which will be best-of-five.

This event will run from September 30th to November 2nd, with the best-of-five Grand Final taking place in front of the live audience. 

All qualified teams will begin their journey in the Group Stage, with top-performing squads advancing to the playoffs. 

Following the tournament, the Stage 3 winner along with two teams with most GC Circuit Points will represent EMEA at the 2025 VALORANT Game Changers Championship.

The ticketing details for both events will be announced by Riot Games in the coming weeks.