Natus Vincere is gearing up for a fresh run in the VCT 2026 season, unveiling a revamped VALORANT roster that blends familiar faces with promising new firepower. The Ukrainian organisation shared the announcement through a cinematic reveal video, confirming two new signings who will join its returning core.

For a job this big, we’ll have to get the best we know.

Your NAVI Valorant VCT 2026 Roster has arrived. pic.twitter.com/LV3FFQC6UD

— NAVI Valorant (@NAVIValorant) December 3, 2025

A New Mix of Talent for 2026

NAVI’s updated lineup introduces Polish player Dawid ‘Filu’ Czarnecki and Turkish duelist Volkan ‘sociablEE’ Yönal. Both players arrive with solid experience in the VCT EMEA circuit, making them natural fits for NAVI’s rebuild.

Filu makes the move after his time with KOI, a chapter that ended abruptly due to Riot Games terminating its partnership with the Spanish organisation. SociablEE, meanwhile, spent the 2025 season with BBL Esports, where he made a name for himself as an aggressive and dynamic duelist.

They will play alongside NAVI’s returning trio
• Andrei ‘Shao’ Kiprskii
• Emirhan ‘hiro’ Kat
• Uğur ‘Ruxic’ Güç

Together, this five man roster aims to reset NAVI’s trajectory after a rocky 2025.

Coaching Staff Brings Stability and Veteran Insight

The squad will be guided by French coach Vincent ‘Happy’ Schopenhauer, who continues to build his legacy as one of the most respected strategic minds in the region. He will work side by side with Kyrylo ‘ANGE1’ Karasov, who recently stepped into a coaching role after retiring from competitive play earlier this year.

Assistant coach Dmytro ‘Chippy’ Bychenko will remain with the team as well, offering continuity as NAVI transitions into its new era.

As part of the roster reshuffle, NAVI parted ways with Alex ‘alexiiik’ Hawlasek, who had stepped in to replace GianFranco ‘koalanoob’ Potestio ahead of VCT EMEA Stage 2.

Reflecting on NAVI’s 2025 Performance

NAVI’s run through the 2025 VCT season was marked by inconsistency. The team opened the year with a top six finish in Stage 1, then bounced back with a stronger Stage 2, ultimately securing fourth place after a close lower bracket loss to GIANTX.

While the improvements were noticeable, it still wasn’t enough to secure enough Championship Points to qualify for Champions 2025. The organisation has now gone two full seasons without an international appearance, adding pressure to deliver in 2026.

The arrival of new talent, combined with a refreshed coaching structure, signals a serious effort to change that narrative.

When Will NAVI Debut the New Lineup?

Fans won’t have to wait long to see NAVI in action. The team is set to debut its roster at Project Blender, an open event featuring a mix of amateur, tier two, and tier one teams. It’s a chance to test chemistry, experiment with roles, and iron out strategies before the season officially begins.

From there, NAVI will turn its attention to the VCT EMEA Kickoff, launching on 20 January. With a stronger lineup and renewed motivation, the organisation will be hungry to reclaim its place among the region’s top contenders.

The post NAVI Reveals New VALORANT Lineup for VCT 2026 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A New Era for EMEA’s Regional Leagues

The 2026 season of the EMEA Regional Leagues is nearly here, and Riot Games has officially outlined everything players and fans can expect from the year ahead. All 13 ERLs are returning with the familiar three split structure, but 2026 will also introduce meaningful policy updates and new opportunities designed to strengthen League of Legends development across the region.

The ERLs continue to play a crucial role in shaping future LEC talent. More than a dozen ERL players made the jump to Europe’s top league in 2025, including Karmine Corp star Caliste, whose breakout run to the First Stand Finals earned him the Rookie of the Year award. Riot says the pathway from regional leagues to Tier 1 competition has never been clearer.

With transformative adjustments now in place and a renewed focus on regional identity, the 2026 ERL season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and distinctive yet.

2026 Season Dates Confirmed

Riot has locked in the full calendar for the upcoming season, covering all three splits and each corresponding EMEA Masters event. Individual leagues may adjust slightly, but these dates form the backbone of the competitive year.

ERL Split Dates

• Winter Split: 7 January to 8 March
• Spring Split: 23 March to 7 June
• Summer Split: 26 June to 17 September

EMEA Masters Dates

• Winter Masters: 9 March to 15 March
• Spring Masters: 8 June to 25 June
• Summer Masters: 21 September to 19 October

Image Credit: Riot Games

More information on the 2026 EMEA Masters will arrive early next year, but fans can already mark their calendars for another packed season of cross regional competition.

One of the Biggest Changes: The End of the LTR Mandate

The most significant update for 2026 is the full removal of the unified Locally Trained Representative mandate. In previous years, every ERL team had to field at least two local players. Riot loosened the rule in 2025, but the organisation is now stepping back entirely and allowing each tournament organiser to set roster guidelines based on its region’s needs.

Riot emphasises that this does not represent a shift away from regional development, but a move toward greater flexibility. With 13 leagues covering many different competitive environments, a one size fits all policy no longer fits.

Tournament organisers will now have more control to define how best to nurture local players, maintain regional identity, and build a sustainable competitive ecosystem. Riot says empowering local operators will strengthen communities, improve fan connection, and help leagues better align with local talent pipelines.

All 13 ERLs Returning, With One Under New Leadership

Every regional league will return for the 2026 season, but one will be undergoing a major change. Spain’s ERL will now be operated by LastLap in collaboration with Cabal Esports, following LVP’s departure last September. Riot says it is excited to see how the new organisers evolve one of EMEA’s most iconic regional leagues.

Fans should keep an eye on their local league channels for updates as the season approaches. The full list of returning ERLs includes:

• Ligue Française de LoL
• Prime League
• LoL Italian Tournament
• Arabian League
• Hellenic Legends League
• Hitpoint Masters
• Northern LoL Championship
• Rift Legends
• Liga Portuguesa de LoL
• Esports Balkan League
• Road of Legends
• Turkish Championship League
• Spain ERL

Image Credit: Riot Games

Editor’s note: This article was updated on December 14, 2025, with an updated ERL 2026 map provided by Riot Games.

Spanish ERL social channels will be announced soon.

ERL Teams in LEC Versus for the First Time

In a historic first, two ERL teams will compete in a Tier 1 event at the start of 2026. Karmine Corp Blue, champions of EMEA Masters Summer 2025, and two time champions Los Ratones have both qualified for LEC Versus, a brand new invitational that will open next year’s competitive season.

The event uses a best of one round robin system, giving each ERL team at least 11 games against the entire LEC roster. It is a rare opportunity to test their skills against top tier opponents and form new rivalries with Europe’s best.

Both teams will miss part of their regional Winter Splits due to the invitational, but Riot is coordinating with tournament organisers to allow extra flexibility during their playoffs.

A Stronger, More Localised Future for the ERLs

Riot says its 2026 structure is designed to build on the success of 2025, while giving regional operators the control they need to tailor their leagues. The new policy direction encourages autonomy, regional identity, and sustainable growth across every ERL.

“Fostering our young prospects into superstars who push forward our competitive scene will always be the primary goal,” Riot said in its announcement.

With a packed schedule, policy freedom, and a growing talent pipeline, the ERL system is entering a new phase. The 2026 season looks set to bring even more opportunities for rising players, stronger community engagement, and some of the most exciting regional League of Legends competition yet.

The post Riot Games Reveals Full 2026 ERL Season Schedule and Major Rule Changes appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A Familiar Face Leads FNATIC Into Another Year

British in-game leader Jake “Boaster” Howlett is officially staying with FNATIC for another year, extending his contract through the 2026 VALORANT season. The announcement confirms that the organisation’s longtime captain will continue donning the orange jersey for what will be his sixth straight year with the team.

FNATIC teased the news with a mysterious “Something’s not quite right this offseason…” post on social media, followed by a fun reveal video featuring Boaster himself shouting, “Be very afraid. Because I’m back, baby! Woooo! One more, let’s go.”

The move locks in one of VALORANT’s most iconic figures for another chapter, as Boaster prepares to lead FNATIC into 2026 after a season full of near misses and heartbreaks.

From 2021 to 2026: Boaster’s Journey So Far

Boaster’s story with FNATIC began in early 2021, when he joined the organisation after transitioning from Counter-Strike and League of Legends to VALORANT in 2020. Since then, he’s helped shape FNATIC into a global powerhouse and one of the most consistent teams in the game’s history.

• 2021: Boaster joins FNATIC and quickly becomes known for his creative strategies and humour on stage.
• 2022: FNATIC solidifies itself as an international contender under his leadership.
• 2023: The team’s golden year, FNATIC wins LOCK//IN São Paulo and Masters Tokyo, cementing Boaster’s status as one of the best IGLs in VALORANT.
• 2024: A transitional year with new rosters and role swaps, but FNATIC remains competitive.
• 2025: FNATIC reaches three grand finals, finishing second at Masters Toronto, the Esports World Cup, and Champions Paris, falling just short each time.
• 2026: Now signed for one more year, Boaster aims to turn silver into gold and finally bring another world title home.

FNATIC’s 2025: So Close, Yet So Far

FNATIC’s 2025 season was filled with consistency and heartbreak in equal measure. They lifted the EMEA Stage 1 trophy and made it to three international grand finals, proving once again that they’re a top-tier team even in turbulent seasons.

After missing Masters Bangkok early on, they bounced back in style, qualifying for Masters Toronto and reaching the grand final, only to fall to Paper Rex. At the Esports World Cup 2025, another grand final saw them reverse-swept by Team Heretics. And finally, at Champions Paris, FNATIC made it all the way once again, but fell just short against NRG.

For Boaster, who had hinted at “one last run with the boys,” it was an emotional year that had many wondering if he’d retire after the season. Instead, he’s returning to lead FNATIC one more time.

The Captain Who Never Quits

Throughout his career, Boaster has become known not only for his tactics but for his energy, humour, and leadership. He’s one of the few players to have guided a team to multiple international finals across consecutive years, something that even the best struggle to replicate.

As debates rage online about whether it’s time for change, fans continue to back their captain. “Without Boaster, FNATIC wouldn’t have been the greatest org in VALORANT,” one fan commented. Another wrote, “He’s been doing it for five years straight. One more year just feels right.”

2026 Roster Locked and Loaded

FNATIC’s confirmed 2026 lineup features a mix of familiar faces and fresh energy:

• Jake “Boaster” Howlett
• Austin “crashies” Roberts
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov
• Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder

Coaches:

• Milan “Milan” de Meij (Head Coach)
• Benjamin “Scuttt” Hutchinson (Assistant Coach)
• Philipp “Szed” Schickor (Performance Coach)

While Chronicle’s future has sparked speculation, the team will soon debut their confirmed roster at the London Clash showmatch, giving fans a first look at FNATIC’s 2026 run.

“One More Year”

Reactions to Boaster’s re-signing have been overwhelmingly positive. Fans flooded FNATIC’s announcement with chants of “ONE MORE YEAR,” celebrating the return of the IGL who has led the squad through every era of VALORANT esports.

“Boaster on FNC is just right,” one comment read. Another simply said, “GOAT IGL NOT GOING ANYWHERE.”

As FNATIC prepares for 2026, the mission is clear, to lift another international trophy and give Boaster the send-off his legacy deserves.

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