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Riot just did something it has never done before in VCT EMEA: removed a partnered team mid-season. ULF Esports is out, Eternal Fire is in, and the Valorant competitive scene is reeling.
ULF Esports entered the VCT EMEA partnership program with ambitions. Behind the scenes, however, the org had failed to pay players and staff from day one of joining the program. When the situation became public, Riot had no choice but to act.
The removal is unprecedented. VCT EMEA has never ejected a partnered org before. It sends a clear message from Riot: financial stability and player welfare are non-negotiable, even at the highest level of Valorant esports.
This is not just a story about one org's collapse. It's a turning point for how Riot governs its franchise ecosystem.
ULF Esports joined VCT EMEA as a partnered org with high expectations. What followed was a financial disaster: players and staff went unpaid since the moment the org joined the program.
When the situation couldn't be contained, Riot Games formally removed ULF from the league. The org was stripped of its partnership slot, a first in VCT EMEA history.
Four ULF players won't be left without a team, though. Eternal Fire stepped in and signed them under new contracts, giving the roster a fresh start with an org that has its finances in order.
Eternal Fire is not a new name in Valorant esports. The Turkish org has been competing since 2021, grinding through Tier 2 with a loyal fanbase and consistent results. Their standout achievement: runner-up finish at VCL 2025 EMEA, the tournament that feeds directly into the VCT partnership tier.
Now they skip the queue. Approved by Riot as ULF's replacement, Eternal Fire is placed in Group Omega for VCT EMEA Stage 1, starting April 1. Their first match is against Fnatic. No easy welcome.
It's the kind of underdog arc that makes esports worth watching. Eternal Fire fought for years to earn a shot at the top tier. They're getting it now, just not the way anyone expected.
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Riot's decision to remove ULF sets a precedent that matters beyond this specific situation. It shows that partnership status is a privilege tied to meeting obligations, including paying the people who make your org run.
For players, this is significant. Esports careers are fragile, and unpaid salaries can derail a future. Riot stepping in to protect player welfare signals that the franchise system will hold orgs accountable.
The VCT 2026 narrative keeps shifting in unexpected directions. From NS RedForce's title run at VCT Masters Santiago 2026 to this ejection, every week brings a new plot twist.
Eternal Fire faces Fnatic on April 1 in their debut match at the top tier. The pressure is enormous: a brand new org slot, a rebuilt roster, and zero margin for error. See the full VCT EMEA Stage 1 schedule and groups for every upcoming matchup.
They'll also have to adapt to the evolving meta immediately, including dealing with new agent Miks who is set to reshape team compositions in Stage 1. The learning curve is real, and Eternal Fire will have to be sharp from day one.
Track every team's climb through the Valorant competitive ladder and check out Amber.gg to see where the pros stack up.
ULF Esports' removal is the harshest reminder yet that VCT partnership status means meeting your obligations to players and staff. Eternal Fire gets their long-overdue shot at the top, four players get a lifeline, and Riot draws a clear line on player welfare.
VCT EMEA Stage 1 kicks off April 1. Things just got a lot more interesting.
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