VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 group draw announced

Today, details regarding the group distribution for the upcoming VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 tournament, set to begin in March, have been revealed. The participants have been divided into two groups: A and B, each promising intense clashes and fierce competition for playoff spots.

Tournament Groups
Group A:

Team Liquid
GIANTX
NAVI
Movistar KOI
BBL Esports
Karmine Corp

Group B:

Fnatic
FUT Esports
Team Heretics
Team Vitality
Gentle Mates
Apeks

Tournament Format
Since no official format details have been released online, it is assumed that the tournament will follow previous rules, which include:

Group Stage
11 teams are divided into 2 groups:

Group A – 6 teams.
Group B – 6 teams.

Groups were determined in advance based on Kickoff results.
Each team plays matches against teams from the other group.
All matches are played in a Bo3 format (best of three).

The top 3 teams from each group advance to the playoffs:

Group winners go directly to the upper bracket semifinals.
Teams placing 2nd and 3rd enter the elimination round.
Group winners go directly to the upper bracket semifinals.
Teams placing 2nd and 3rd enter the elimination round.
To qualify for the playoffs, a team must win at least two matches.
If a team fails to secure two wins, its spot will be taken by the best-performing team from the other group that meets this requirement.
Group winners go directly to the upper bracket semifinals.
Group A – 6 teams
Group B – 6 teams

Playoffs
The tournament follows a hybrid elimination system:

The first elimination round is single elimination (one loss = elimination).
From the upper bracket semifinals onward, the double-elimination system applies (a team is eliminated only after two losses).
The first elimination round is single elimination (one loss = elimination).
From the upper bracket semifinals onward, the double-elimination system applies (a team is eliminated only after two losses).

Match Formats
All matches (except finals) – Bo3.
Lower bracket final & grand final – Bo5 (best of five).
The top three teams earn a spot at Masters.