Gentle Mates has joined VCT EMEA as its newest partner team. The move comes after developer Riot Games removed Spanish organisation Movistar KOI for ‘a breach of the team’s contractual agreement’ last month, after which they invited 10 unnamed organisations to apply to become their replacement.
Gentle Mates join VCT EMEA as a partner team
Riot confirmed M8’s joining the league in a statement, explaining how the decision ‘follows a comprehensive and competitive application process’. 10 teams were invited to apply, including both of 2025’s relegated Ascension sides Gentle Mates and Apeks, as well as this year’s Ascension contenders.
According to an earlier report from Sheep Esports, Apeks had made a joint application alongside HEROIC, while Saudi-based Team Falcons were the single invitee who turned down the chance to apply.
According to Riot’s announcement, the selection process was carried out using the same selection criteria as was used when originally choosing partnered teams when the VCT international leagues debuted in 2023:
- Organisational goals for the 2026 season
- Collaboration, strategic alignment, and channel strategy
- Operational readiness
- Competitive plans and player support systems
- Community resonance and ability to generate fandom
‘After thorough review, Gentle Mates achieved the highest overall score. As a result, they have been offered a one-year contract through the end of 2026, when all VCT EMEA partnerships conclude.
‘Following VALORANT Ascension EMEA later this year, two additional teams will be promoted into VCT EMEA, keeping the league at 12 teams for the 2026 season.’
Gentle Mates always the likely winner
The popularity of Gentle Mates and streamer-turned-owner Lucas ‘Squeezie’ Hauchard always made them the likely choice for Riot from the moment KOI’s departure was announced. The French organisation had frequently seen its matches amongst the league’s most-watched despite the team’s competitive struggles, and performed far better than their Spanish opposition on digital goods sales this year.
In his immediate response to last month’s news, KOI founder Ibai Llanos speculated that the league’s desire to keep Gentle Mates in the competition following their relegation had been the real reason that Riot ultimately decided to make a change. It’s thought that the contractual breach related to minimum co-streaming hours required by the hugely popular influencer, which were not met following overall step back from streaming this year.
