CCT 2026 europe
Last updated October 02, 2026
Split Into Three Circuits
CCT Contenders Europe – 10 Events (Series 1 already announced)
CCT Challengers Europe – 8 Events
CCT Europe – 16 Events
General Details
Format (Open Qualifier):
- Single Elimination, 128 Team Limit
- Best-Of-1 Format
- Number of Winners (Qualified Teams): 8 per Qualifier
- Quantity: 2 Qualifier
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 16 Qualified teams via Open Qualifiers:
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #1
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #2
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $2,500
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $1,250 |
2nd | $750 |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $2,500 |
Event | Invite Date | Invite VRS | Initial Seed VRS | OQ1 Date | OQ2 Date | Start Date | End Date |
Series 11 | — | — | Nov 2026 | 07 Nov 2026 | 08 Nov 2026 | 19 Nov 2026 | 27 Nov 2026 |
Series 12 | — | — | Dec 2026 | 05 Dec 2026 | 06 Dec 2026 | 13 Dec 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 |
CCT 2026 Contenders Europe Series 6 to 10
Since the launch of the CCT 2026 season, we have successfully completed five Contenders Europe events as part of our newly introduced pathway into the Valve Regional Standings (VRS).
The first four events operated with a fully open qualification system, while the fifth event introduced a VRS-based invitation model alongside two Open Qualifier spots. After reviewing participation data, team feedback, and community sentiment, it became clear that teams strongly value a circuit that remains fully open and accessible.
As a result, we have decided to revise the originally announced entry structure for Contenders Europe Series 6 through Series 10 and continue with a fully open qualification format for all remaining events.
The updated event details can be found below.
Series 6 to 9
Format (Open Qualifier):
- Single Elimination, 128 Team Limit
- Best-Of-1 Format
- Number of Winners (Qualified Teams): 8 per Qualifier
- Quantity: 2 Qualifiers
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 16 Qualified teams via Open Qualifiers:
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #1
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #2
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $2,500
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $1,250 + Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
2nd | $750 + Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $2,500 + 2x Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
General Details
Format (Open Qualifier):
- Single Elimination, 128 Team Limit
- Best-Of-1 Format
- Number of Winners (Qualified Teams): 8 per Qualifier
- Quantity: 2 Qualifiers
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 16 Qualified teams via Open Qualifiers:
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #1
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #2
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $2,500
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $1,250 |
2nd | $750 |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $2,500 |
Event | Invite Date | Invite VRS | Initial Seed VRS | OQ1 Date | OQ2 Date | Start Date | End Date |
Series 6 | — | — | Jun 2026 | 27 Jun 2026 | 28 Jun 2026 | 04 Jul 2026 | 12 Jul 2026 |
Series 7 | — | — | Jun 2026 | 16 Jul 2026 | 17 Jul 2026 | 25 Jul 2026 | 02 Aug 2026 |
Series 8 | — | — | Aug 2026 | 08 Aug 2026 | 09 Aug 2026 | 15 Aug 2026 | 23 Aug 2026 |
Series 9 | — | — | Sept 2026 | 29 Aug 2026 | 30 Aug 2026 | 05 Sep 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 |
Series 10 | — | — | Oct 2026 | 17 Oct 2026 | 18 Oct 2026 | 24 Oct 2026 | 01 Nov 2026 |
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | ||||||
Event | Qualified teams | Event | Qualified teams | Event | Qualified teams | Event | |||
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 6 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 5 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 9 |
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 7 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 6 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 12 |
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 8 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 7 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 15 |
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 9 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 8 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 16 |
General Details
Format (Open Qualifier):
- Single Elimination, 128 Team Limit
- Best-Of-1 Format with Deciders Best-Of-3
- Number of Winners (Qualified Teams): 8 per Qualifier
- Quantity: 2 Qualifiers
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 16 Qualified teams via Open Qualifiers:
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #1
- 8 Slots for Open Qualifier #2
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $2,500
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $1,250 + Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
2nd | $750 + Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $2,500 + 2x Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
General Details
Format (Open Qualifier):
- Single Elimination, 128 Team Limit
- Best-Of-1 Format with Deciders Best-Of-3
- Number of Winners (Qualified Teams): 2
- Quantity: 1 Qualifier
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 14 Invited from Europe VRS – Start on Rank 120
- 2 Qualified from Open Qualifier
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $2,500
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $1,250 + Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
2nd | $750 + Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $2,500 + 2x Slot on CCT 2026 Challengers Europe |
General Details
Format (Open Qualifier):
- Single Elimination, 128 Team Limit
- Best-Of-1 Format with Deciders Best-Of-3
- Number of Winners (Qualified Teams): 2
- Quantity: 1 Qualifier
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 14 Invited from Europe VRS – Start on Rank 120
- 2 Qualified from Open Qualifier
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $2,500
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $1,250 |
2nd | $750 |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $2,500 |
Event | Invite Date | Invite VRS | Initial Seed VRS | OQ1 Date | OQ2 Date | Start Date | End Date |
Series 2 | .. | .. | Feb 2026 | 28 Feb 2026 | 01 M ar 2026 | 07 Mar 2026 | 15 Mar 2026 |
Series 3 | .. | .. | Mar 2026 | 12 Mar 2026 | 13 Mar 2026 | 21 Mar 2026 | 29 Mar 2026 |
Series 4 | .. | .. | Apr 2026 | 26 Mar 2026 | 29 Mar 2026 | 04 Apr 2026 | 12 Apr 2026 |
Series 5 | Tue, 07 Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | 02 May 2026 | .. | 09 May 2026 | 17 May 2026 |
Series 6 | Tue, 02 Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | 27 Jun 2026 | .. | 04 Jul 2026 | 12 Jul 2026 |
Series 7 | Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | 16 Jul 2026 | .. | 25 Jul 2026 | 02 Aug 2026 |
Series 8 | Mon, 06 Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | 08 Aug 2026 | .. | 15 Aug 2026 | 23 Aug 2026 |
Series 9 | Mon, 03 Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | 29 Aug 2026 | .. | 05 Sep 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 |
Series 10 | Tue, 15 Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | 17 Oct 2026 | .. | 24 Oct 2026 | 01 Nov 2026 |
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | ||||||
Event | Qualified teams | Event | Qualified teams | Event | Qualified teams | Event | |||
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 8 per Qualifier For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 2 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 1 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 4 |
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 8 per Qualifier For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 3 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 2 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 5 |
Open Qual 1 & 2 | 8 per Qualifier For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 4 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 3 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 6 |
Open Qual | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 5 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 4 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 7 |
Open Qual | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 6 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 5 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 9 |
Open Qual | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 7 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 6 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 12 |
Open Qual | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 8 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 7 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 15 |
Open Qual | 2 total teams For Stage 2 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 9 | 2 Slots for Stage 3 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 8 | 2 Slots for Stage 4 | 🔀 | CCT 2026 Europe Series 16 |
General Details
Format (Main Event):
- Double Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
16 Team Slots:
- 14 Invited from Europe VRS – Start on Rank 100
- 2 Wildcard Slots (Via CCT 2026 Contenders Europe 2 to 9, 2 Slots per Event)
Team distribution:
- 16 Teams to Main Event
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $5,000
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $3,000 + Slot on CCT 2026 Europe |
2nd | $1,500 + Slot on CCT 2026 Europe |
3rd | $500 |
Total | $5,000 + 2x Slot on CCT 2026 Europe |
Event | Invite Date | Invite VRS | Initial Seed VRS | Start Date | End Date |
Series 1 | Mon, 16 Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | 18 Apr 2026 | 26 Apr 2026 |
Series 2 | Mon, 30 Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | 02 May 2026 | 10 May 2026 |
Series 3 | Mon, 13 Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | 23 May 2026 | 31 May 2026 |
Series 4 | Mon, 18 May 2026 | May 2026 | May 2026 | 27 Jun 2026 | 05 Jul 2026 |
Series 5 | Mon, 13 Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | 15 Aug 2026 | 23 Aug 2026 |
Series 6 | Tue, 04 Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | 05 Sep 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 |
Series 7 | Mon, 24 Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | 26 Sep 2026 | 04 Oct 2026 |
Series 8 | Mon, 14 Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | 17 Oct 2026 | 25 Oct 2026 |
General Details
Format (Play-Ins):
- GSL (4 Groups of 4 Teams) + Deciders
- All matches are Best-Of-3
- 4 Teams advance to Group Stage
Format (Group Stage):
- Swiss Stage, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
- 8 Teams advance to Playoffs
Format (Playoffs):
- Single Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
36 Team Slots:
- 36 Invited from Europe VRS – Start on Rank 9
Team distribution:
- Invite 1 to 8 (8 Teams): Playoffs
- Invite 9 to 20 (12 Teams): Group Stage
- Invite 21 to 36 (16 Teams): Play-Ins
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $25,000
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $10,000 |
2nd | $5,000 |
3-4th | $2,500 |
5-8th | $1,250 |
Total | $25,000 |
General Details
Format (Play-Ins):
- GSL (4 Groups of 4 Teams) + Deciders
- All matches are Best-Of-3
- 4 Teams advance to Group Stage
Format (Group Stage):
- Swiss Stage, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
- 8 Teams advance to Playoffs
Format (Playoffs):
- Single Elimination, 16 Teams
- All matches are Best-Of-3
36 Team Slots:
- 34 Invited from Europe VRS – Start on Rank 9
- 2 Wildcard Slots (Via CCT 2026 Challengers Europe 1 to 8, 2 Slots per Event)
Team distribution:
- Invite 1 to 8 (8 Teams): Playoffs
- Invite 9 to 20 (12 Teams): Group Stage
- Invite 21 to 34 + 2 Wildcard Slots (16 Teams): Play-Ins
Location: Europe, Online
Prize-Pool: $25,000
Placement | Total Prize Pool |
1st | $10,000 |
2nd | $5,000 |
3-4th | $2,500 |
5-8th | $1,250 |
Total | $25,000 |
Event | Invite Date | Invite VRS | Initial Seed VRS | Play-Ins | Group Stage | Playoffs | |||
Start Date | End Date | Start Date | End Date | Start Date | End Date | ||||
Series 1 | Fri, 20 Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | 27 Apr 2026 | 02 May 2026 | 03 May 2026 | 11 May 2026 | 12 May 2026 | 15 May 2026 |
Series 2 | Mon, 06 Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | 12 May 2026 | 17 May 2026 | 18 May 2026 | 26 May 2026 | 27 May 2026 | 30 May 2026 |
Series 3 | Thu, 09 Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | 19 May 2026 | 24 May 2026 | 25 May 2026 | 02 Jun 2026 | 03 Jun 2026 | 06 Jun 2026 |
Series 4 | Mon, 04 May 2026 | May 2026 | May 2026 | 03 Jun 2026 | 08 Jun 2026 | 09 Jun 2026 | 17 Jun 2026 | 18 Jun 2026 | 21 Jun 2026 |
Series 5 | Thu, 11 Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | 15 Jul 2026 | 20 Jul 2026 | 21 Jul 2026 | 29 Jul 2026 | 30 Jul 2026 | 02 Aug 2026 |
Series 6 | Mon, 15 Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | 21 Jul 2026 | 26 Jul 2026 | 27 Jul 2026 | 04 Aug 2026 | 05 Aug 2026 | 08 Aug 2026 |
Series 7 | Fri, 10 Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | 12 Aug 2026 | 17 Aug 2026 | 18 Aug 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | 27 Aug 2026 | 30 Aug 2026 |
Series 8 | Wed, 22 Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | 27 Aug 2026 | 01 Sep 2026 | 02 Sep 2026 | 10 Sep 2026 | 11 Sep 2026 | 14 Sep 2026 |
Series 9 | Mon, 03 Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | 09 Sep 2026 | 14 Sep 2026 | 15 Sep 2026 | 23 Sep 2026 | 24 Sep 2026 | 27 Sep 2026 |
Series 10 | Thu, 13 Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | Aug 2026 | 22 Sep 2026 | 27 Sep 2026 | 28 Sep 2026 | 06 Oct 2026 | 07 Oct 2026 | 10 Oct 2026 |
Series 11 | Mon, 07 Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | 07 Oct 2026 | 12 Oct 2026 | 13 Oct 2026 | 21 Oct 2026 | 22 Oct 2026 | 25 Oct 2026 |
Series 12 | Thu, 10 Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | 14 Oct 2026 | 19 Oct 2026 | 20 Oct 2026 | 28 Oct 2026 | 29 Oct 2026 | 01 Nov 2026 |
Series 13 | Fri, 25 Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | Sep 2026 | 29 Oct 2026 | 03 Nov 2026 | 04 Nov 2026 | 12 Nov 2026 | 13 Nov 2026 | 16 Nov 2026 |
Series 14 | Mon, 05 Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 | 04 Nov 2026 | 09 Nov 2026 | 10 Nov 2026 | 18 Nov 2026 | 19 Nov 2026 | 22 Nov 2026 |
Series 15 | Tue, 06 Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 | 19 Nov 2026 | 24 Nov 2026 | 25 Nov 2026 | 03 Dec 2026 | 04 Dec 2026 | 07 Dec 2026 |
Series 16 | Mon, 26 Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 | Oct 2026 | 25 Nov 2026 | 30 Nov 2026 | 01 Dec 2026 | 09 Dec 2026 | 10 Dec 2026 | 13 Dec 2026 |
Extra Information
Wildcard Slot Allocation
- Each Wildcard Slot is directly tied to the finalists of each event.
- In the event of a decline, CCT reserves the right to:
- Reallocate the slot in line with Valve Tournament Operation Requirements, or
- Invite the next highest-ranked eligible roster from the VRS lists already announced for the event.
- The assignment of any Wildcard Invite is at the sole discretion of CCT, regardless of VRS ranking or prior participation. Wildcard eligibility will be confirmed according to the Valve Tournament Operation Requirements.
Tournament Tier: Tier 2 Ranked Event (HLTV.org will determine which stages/matches count toward VRS following the event application. VRS eligibility is not guaranteed, though Valve Tournament Operation Requirements are fulfilled)
Tournament Operator: CCT
Further information relevant to the additional information can be found in the official rulebook here.