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VCT Stage 2 is entering its decisive phase across all four regions. Karmine Corp dominates a reshuffled EMEA, China's top two teams remain unbeaten through Week 2, and the EWC champions are making their presence felt in Americas and Pacific. Here's everything that matters heading into the weekend.
If you missed the opening week, our VCT Stage 2 Week 1 breakdown sets the stage.
After a 0-5 Stage 1 nobody wants to remember, KC is showing up differently. Karmine Corp went 2-0 in Week 1, sweeping both Eternal Fire and GIANTX without dropping a map. They were the only team with a perfect record in EMEA Week 1, and the coaching staff credits a "much looser style of play" unlocked by recent changes.
It's not just results: it's how they're winning. KC's aggression and flexibility in agent composition are already filtering into high-elo EMEA ranked. If you're hitting your peak this season, watch their Ascent and Bind setups closely.
Photo: Riot Games / VCT EMEA
Week 2 is already moving. FUT Esports took down PCIFIC Esports to open the week, and the marquee match is still coming: Fnatic vs Karmine Corp on July 22. A win for KC would make them the clear EMEA favorite heading into the back half of Stage 2. Other teams making noise: BBL Esports (upset of Team Vitality last week) and Team Liquid (they erased a 2-11 deficit against Heretics).
The teams that shone at EWC are picking up exactly where they left off. 🏆
Leviatán opened Americas Week 1 with a 2-1 win over FURIA, underlining that their Masters London title was no fluke. 100 Thieves, fresh off their EWC championship, dispatched G2 2-1, a team that had given them real trouble before the tournament. The momentum is real.
G2 continues to underdeliver after a 0-2 exit at Masters London. NRG stole a headline too, rallying from 10-2 down on map two against MIBR to take the series. Composure like that matters deep in a stage.
One debut worth noting: FURIA's basic finally saw his first VCT action after a year on the sidelines due to visa issues. He posted a 2.08 rating on map two against Leviatán. That number turns heads 👀.
Two teams. Eight combined matches in Stage 2. Zero losses.
Nova Esports and TYLOO are running away with Group Alpha, both sitting at 3-0 after Week 2. Nova's Swagzor earned player-of-the-week honors with a 1.66 rating, 286 ACS, and 219 ADR across the week. That's not variance, that's dominance 🔥.
EDward Gaming looked shaky returning from EWC, dropping their first match before bouncing back with two straight wins. The gap to Nova and TYLOO is real, but the question is whether any team can close it before the playoff cut. Bilibili Gaming and Xi Lai Gaming are leading Group Omega and could make the second half of the stage interesting.
© Riot Games / VCT 2026
The agent compositions coming out of CN are already reaching ranked. Nova and TYLOO's picks on Haven and Ascent are worth studying — test your reads in Valorant on Amber.gg. These comps carry even more weight with Patch 13.01's recent agent rebalances still shaping the competitive pool.
After significant offseason changes previewed in our VCT Stage 2 roster roundup, Gen.G opened with a 2-0 week. New IGL Efina is settling in fast, and Raxcal has been the standout carry, including a strong showing against Nongshim. Karon also impressed against ZETA Division.
The dark horse to watch is VARREL. Foxy9 dropped 59 total kills in Week 1, including a 27/8 on Split, as the team claimed their first VCT series win. They're not a name you'll see at the top of power rankings yet, but they should be on your radar.
T1 beat Paper Rex 2-1 in Group Omega to start the week. PRX fans, no panic: the stage is long.
In a move that caught most of the community off guard, FURIA benched eeiu and signed C0M (released from Evil Geniuses two weeks earlier) on July 19. C0M makes his FURIA debut on July 24 against NRG.
The optics are unusual. eeiu had been one of FURIA's stronger performers after his promotion, while C0M's last stint with EG ended in a 1-8 map record during Stage 1 groups. Coaching decisions go beyond stats, but this is one to watch. For more context on the LATAM talent pipeline driving these moves, see our FURIA academy and KRU SPARK breakdown.
Stage 2 sets the meta you'll be facing in ranked for the next month. Keep your climb sharp: compete in Valorant ladders on Amber.gg and track where you stand as the competitive season hits full speed.
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