VCT EMEA shakeup
ULF Esports was removed from VCT EMEA for payment issues and Turkish org Eternal Fire took their slot — reports say Eternal Fire signed the full ULF roster to keep players employed and preserve competitive continuity ( ). The move keeps the region stable ahead of Stage 1 and avoids a mid-season talent drain (hotspawn.com).
Riot Games confirmed on March 20, 2026 that Türkiye-based Eternal Fire will join VCT EMEA for the remainder of the 2026 season, taking the slot vacated by ULF Esports. (insider-gaming.com) League officials cited ongoing operational and financial shortfalls at ULF — including multiple reports of delayed or unpaid salaries — and said they had been in dialogue with the organisation and player representatives for weeks before the change. (esports.gg) Riot’s statement said Eternal Fire would sign members of the former ULF roster; outlet counts vary, with VLR.gg reporting five signed players while Esports.gg and other reports put the number at four. (vlr.gg) The transition preserves registered team continuity ahead of VCT Stage 1, which Riot’s 2026 calendar places from March 31 to May 24, 2026, ensuring the region keeps a full field for opening-stage fixtures. (esports.gg) ULF only entered the VCT EMEA partner programme in early 2026 and competed in events including the Kickoff and EMEA Clash before being removed, according to multiple regional reports. (bo3.gg)
