Gentle Mates was relegated from the VCT EMEA after posting a 3-10 record in the main tournament since the Kickoff Stage.
The French organization running in the VALORANT scene may be over for now. After a rough season, Gentle Mates lost its spot in the VCT EMEA. What’s more, Gentle Mates may not return to Challengers anytime soon. What happened to the team?
Gentle Mates relegated from VCT EMEA
After APEKS, Gentle Mates has been eliminated from the VCT EMEA. After losing against GIANTX on August 7 by 1-2, the French team failed to meet the minimum performance requirements and will not compete in the tournament in 2026.
In Corrode, Gentle Mates showed strong dominance, maintaining control throughout the entire match. However, on Ascent, GIANTX pulled off an incredible comeback, leveling the score and pushing the game into overtime, where they ultimately secured the win. By the time they reached Haven, Gentle Mates’ mentality had clearly faltered, allowing GIANTX to cruise to an easy 13-4 victory.
The French team closed the season with a 3-10 score across Kickoff, Stage 1, and Stage 2. On August 14, they are playing their last game of the VCT EMEA: Stage 2 against Team Vitality.
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Future uncertain
During a recent livestream, the team's co-founder, Lucas “Squeezie” Hauchard, shared uncertainty about the team’s future in the VALORANT competitive scene. Reflecting on the challenges faced this season, he admitted, “There’s probably only a 5% chance we’ll be in VCT next year. This year just hasn’t worked out for us, and I’m not sure why. It’s really disappointing and I’m genuinely saddened by the situation.”
Squeezie's comments signal that Gentle Mates may not return to VALORANT’s top-tier competition in the upcoming season. Could this be the final chapter for Gentle Mates in the VALORANT scene? We’ll have to wait for further updates on the team’s future.
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