SLT Seongnam and Nongshim RedForce qualify for VCT 2026 after winning VCT Pacific Ascension

The 2025 VCT Pacific Ascension came to a thrilling close with SLT Seongnam and Nongshim RedForce earning their way into the 2026 Pacific League. In a tournament stacked with redemption stories, both Korean teams rose above a crowded field that included BOOM Esports, Velocity Gaming, Motiv Esports, and NAOS. Their triumph not only marks the return of a former league representative in Nongshim but also introduces a rising Korean force in SLT, who ran through the bracket undefeated.

This year, two slots were up for grabs thanks to both BOOM and Nongshim dropping from VCT Pacific after failing to make Champions 2025.

Why BOOM Esports & Nongshim Redforce Got Sent Back

BOOM Esports’ relegation and participation in Ascension stem from the league’s retention system. Even as a partnered team for a year, failing to meet performance thresholds (a lack of Champions qualification) relegated them from VCT, but because they had made Pacific Stage 1 playoffs, they got to play in Ascension via Championship Points. For Nongshim, their top-eight finish in Stage 2 meant that they were also allowed the chance to fight for their spot.

That system ensures the league remains fluid and performance-driven, rather than static. It raises the stakes for all organizations and ensures fresh talent can break in.

The Pacific Ascension Teams & Road to Playoffs

A total of ten teams qualified for the Ascension Pacific event in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 14 to October 26, 2025. The format consisted of a group stage (two groups of 5, Bo3), with the top three from each group advancing to the double-elimination playoff bracket.

Some of the key entrants:

• SLT Seongnam (Korea) — Challengers Korea entrant, rising team.
• Nongshim RedForce (Korea) — Former league/ascension team seeking promotion again.
• BOOM Esports (Philippines) — Former league slot trying to reclaim.
• Motiv Esports, NAOS, Velocity Gaming (SEA/OCE) — regional challengers trying to break through.

SLT emerged dominant in their group, while RedForce took a tougher route via the lower bracket after early setbacks.

SLT Seongnam – Rising Star Entering the League

SLT entered the event as one of the strongest challengers from South Korea. Their group stage was flawless, they charged through the upper bracket and in the Upper Final swept BOOM Esports 3-0 to secure one of the promotion slots. SLT defeated NAOS in the upper semi (2-0), then BOOM in the upper final (3-0) to qualify.

What stood out is their firepower: in the final, Zexy posted a 288 ACS and the rest of the team showcased SLT’s high mechanical ceiling and team synergy. Every SLT member posted positive or near-neutral K/Ds, with Zexy and XuNa emerging as the stars of the event. Their synergy was particularly visible on attack rounds, where SLT regularly broke through sites with coordinated utility and multi-frag potential.

Their performance now grants them entry into the 2026 league and marks the arrival of fresh Korean talent into the franchised pool.

Nongshim RedForce – Redemption Realised

For RedForce, this ascension marked redemption. They had a rough start to Ascension: in the group stage they started in the lower bracket, and losing a game meant instant elimination.  They defeated Motiv Esports and BOOM Esports in Lower Round 2 and Lower Round 3 respectively, 3-1 over BOOM in the decisive match to secure the second promotion slot. Francis was a star in the game across all maps. Dambi was particularly outstanding — his 251 ACS and 19 first kills were the highest of the series, consistently dismantling BOOM’s defensive holds. Combined with the leadership of Rb, the veteran of Korea’s early VALORANT days, NS once again secured a place in the top flight of Pacific competition.

Now back in the VCT Pacific League, RedForce get another chance to cement their place among the region’s elite.

The 2026 VCT Pacific League – Full Team List

Here are the 12 confirmed teams for VCT Pacific 2026 (10 partnered + 2 promoted via Ascension):

That slot allocation and competitiveness reflects a heavy 5 Korean team influence this upcoming year.

What This Means for VCT Pacific 2026

SLT’s arrival signals new talent breaking in; RedForce’s return signals experience given another shot. Established partner teams will need to adapt to these challengers — the margin for error is smaller.

This year’s promotion cycle reflects the evolving promotion-relegation dynamics in Pacific. Teams no longer enjoy guaranteed two-year stays; they must consistently perform or return to Ascension. The success of SLT and RedForce underscores that Challenger teams must be ready not just to ascend, but to stay.

For the region itself, having fresh talent and reinvigorated rosters boosts competitive depth. When newcomers like SLT succeed alongside redemption stories like RedForce, the overall ecosystem strengthens, making Pacific a more unpredictable, compelling region on the global VALORANT map.

SLT Seongnam and Nongshim RedForce did the hard work, outperformed when it mattered, and earned their places in the 2026 VCT Pacific League. The shape of Pacific Valorant is shifting towards Korea after Paper Rex’s dominance this year, and these two teams now have the spotlight.