Riot Games Drops Movistar KOI from VCT EMEA 2026 — What Went Wrong?

Summary:

Riot Games has terminated its partnership with Spanish esports organization Movistar KOI.

Despite a vague official statement from Riot Games, fans speculate that the contract breach involves co-streaming issues.

KOI will not be able to participate in VCT EMEA’s 2026 season as a result, with another team to take their place.

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA will look very different in 2026. Riot Games has officially ended its partnership with Movistar KOI, removing the Spanish organization from the league. This announcement was very unexpected, leaving fans, players, and even KOI’s own leadership stunned. So, what exactly happened, and why did Riot decide to cut ties?

Riot’s Decision to Remove Movistar KOI

VCT EMEA Update: pic.twitter.com/0t53yYqt5G

— VALORANT Esports EMEA (@valesports_emea) September 6, 2025

On September 6, 2025, Riot Games announced that Movistar KOI would no longer compete in VCT EMEA starting in 2026. Riot had terminated its partnership with the org due to a contractual breach, but did not specify more details publicly. They also stressed that this decision only affects KOI’s Valorant team and not their participation in other Riot esports titles.

The Contract Breach Behind the Exit

While Riot’s announcement was vague, multiple reports suggest the issue was about an agreement regarding co-streaming. Movistar KOI co-founder Ibai Llanos, one of Spain’s biggest streamers, was supposed to host VCT broadcasts but stepped away from streaming often because of health reasons.

KOI used Sergio Ferra instead as his replacement, but Riot reportedly saw this as breaking the contract. In short, Riot expected KOI to rely on Ibai’s huge influence to boost Valorant’s audience in Spain. Since he wasn’t regularly involved, KOI may not have met the terms of their deal.

Ibai’s Response

Actualización sobre nuestra plaza de VCT: pic.twitter.com/vZA4cLcUyZ

— Movistar KOI (@MovistarKOI) September 6, 2025

In a ten-minute video, Ibai admitted that KOI had struggled in VCT EMEA since 2022. Still, he called out Riot for how they handled the situation. According to him, the team got no warning and only found out they were removed in a last-minute meeting the day before it was announced.

He also explained that KOI had already been preparing for 2026. They had hired coach Kirian “Yaba” Martínez and started talks with new players. For Ibai, this decision ruined what was meant to be a fresh start for the team. Even though he admitted KOI’s results weren’t great, he still felt the removal was too sudden and unfair.

Community and Industry Reaction

The Valorant community clearly were saddened or confused by the news. Some thought Riot’s decision was too harsh, especially since KOI’s huge fan base brought a lot of attention to the league even when the team wasn’t performing well.

Speculation soon followed. Could Riot bring back Gentle Mates, the popular French squad? Or would this open the door for a new team like Team Falcons? Nobody knows yet, and the lack of answers has left fans frustrated.

Because of this, some believe Riot’s choice was more about business than fair competition or rules. Many also think KOI’s huge fan base, led by Ibai, at least deserved clearer communication from Riot.

What Comes Next for Movistar KOI?

KOI’s future in Valorant is unclear. The team won’t return to VCT EMEA in 2026, and another organization will take their slot. Meanwhile, KOI’s roster will become free agents and get chances to sign with new teams once the current season ends.

At the same time, Ibai and OverActive Media, KOI’s parent company, must decide if they want to rebuild in the lower leagues or move on to other esports. No matter what, KOI’s exit leaves Spanish Valorant without one of its biggest names.

Conclusion

Fans are still waiting to see if Riot or KOI will hold a press conference to explain more, but nothing has been confirmed. For now, all we know comes from Riot’s short statement and Ibai’s video response. Whether the removal was due to streaming issues, poor results, or business reasons, the outcome is clear: Riot made its choice, and KOI is out of Valorant’s top league.

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