Riot Games has terminated Movistar KOI’s partnership agreement with the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, citing a breach of the team’s contractual obligations with the league. According to Ibai Llanos, Co-Owner of Movistar KOI, the decision was influenced by the team’s underperformance both competitively and commercially.

As a result, players from Movistar KOI will become free agents at the end of the current season. Since the VCT Transfer Window is closed, an exemption allowing players dropped from a roster outside the window to be signed temporarily will apply. Riot Games has confirmed that this period will be extended until the Transfer Window reopens.

The decision affects only VCT EMEA participation and does not impact Movistar KOI’s involvement in other Riot esports competitions. Movistar KOI Fénix will continue competing in VALORANT Challengers EMEA Spain: Rising, and the organisation’s spot at the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) remains unchanged.

Movistar KOI entered the VALORANT scene in 2022, securing a VCT EMEA spot as the partnered teams were announced. While KOI’s competitive results in VALORANT have been mixed, the team has remained a prominent brand in Spain and the wider European esports market, even winning the LEC Spring split and hosting a LEC event in 2025. The organisation is partly owned by OverActive Media—also known for investments in other esports organisations such as Toronto Ultra.

Riot Games has indicated that a new team will take Movistar KOI’s place in VCT EMEA for the 2026 season. The league is currently evaluating potential replacements. This change will not alter the Ascension EMEA promotion, which will continue to promote two teams, maintaining a 12-team league for 2026.

Following the announcement, Ibai Llanos addressed the situation on social media:

“Yesterday, Riot contacted us urgently to inform us that we were being removed from the league. There was no prior warning or discussion” he said, “we have struggled to perform both competitively and commercially, and I accept our responsibility for this. Our content production and skin sales have not been consistently strong, and on the competitive side, results have been poor.”

“Despite our attempts to propose solutions, including committing to improve our performance and management, Riot has confirmed the decision is irreversible. We had already signed a coach and begun preparing our roster for 2026, but these plans are now void, leaving players and staff without positions. While the timing and communication of the decision have been disappointing, we respect Riot’s right as a private company to make such decisions.”

Llanos concluded by acknowledging the impact on the team’s staff and players:

“We are saddened for our players and coach, who now need to find new opportunities. Despite this setback, we remain motivated to continue in esports and learn from this experience.”

Riot Games has not yet announced which organisation will replace Movistar KOI in VCT EMEA for the next season.