Riot Games announced in spring 2026 that VCT EMEA will feature exactly eight partner teams starting in the 2027 season under a new two-year cycle, down from the prior ten-team structure across all regions. Applications opened for both established partners and new organizations, with selections guided by official criteria including commitment to community growth, fan engagement and content resonance, plus long-term business sustainability and responsible operations. Current frontrunners such as Fnatic, Team Liquid, Team Heretics, Karmine Corp, Vitality, NAVI, and Gentle Mates are frequently cited in discussions for their large viewership bases, multi-title esports presence, and competitive records, while two current partners risk losing slots amid heightened performance and financial scrutiny. The shift introduces open-qualifier pathways and potential relegation pressure, making roster stability, recent regional results, and organizational resources key variables that traders weigh when assessing implied probabilities for each prospective partner.