Heretics beat Vitality 3-2 to win VCT EMEA Stage 1

Team Heretics defeated Team Vitality 3-2 in a five-hour, five-map grand final at Riot Games Arena in Berlin on May 17, 2026, to claim their first official VCT regional title.

The series went the full distance. Vitality won Breeze 13-10, Heretics took Lotus 15-13, Vitality claimed Pearl 13-7, Heretics won Split 13-11 and closed the decider on Haven 15-13. The match lasted over five hours and drew a full crowd at the venue. The result determined seeding for Masters London, which begins June 6.

Heretics reached the playoffs after three straight group-stage wins, then lost their opening upper-bracket match to Eternal Fire and moved into the lower bracket. From there they won five consecutive elimination matches to reach the grand final, including a notable victory over Fnatic.

The title is Heretics’ first VCT regional crown in their sixth VCT grand final appearance. The Spanish organization previously won the Esports World Cup in 2025 and finished tied for fifth-sixth at Valorant Champions 2025.

By winning VCT EMEA Stage 1, Heretics secured EMEA’s first seed for Masters London and a direct bye into that event’s playoff stage. Vitality finished Stage 1 as runner-up after taking two maps in the final. Heretics will attend Masters London with a full roster.