VALORANT Masters London arrives as the second international showdown of 2026, bringing twelve of the world’s best teams to the Copper Box Arena from June 6 to 21. From Paper Rex sweeping their way to yet another Pacific title to G2 claiming a fourth consecutive Americas crown, Stage 1 delivered some of the most compelling individual performances of the VCT era. With Patch 12.09 also reshaping the duelist meta just before the event, London sets up as a tournament where adaptability matters as much as raw firepower. Here are the five best players we are most excited to watch, plus a few honorable mentions who could steal the show.
5. ZmjjKK – EDward Gaming (VCT China)
Zheng “ZmjjKK†Yongkang was the runaway MVP of VCT China Stage 1, and the numbers leave no room for debate. After week one alone, ZmjjKK led the entire region in ACS at 269.3, K:D at 1.64, and KPR at 0.97. Those figures held through the full tournament. Across 10 matches, 27 maps, and a near-unbeaten run to the grand final, ZmjjKK consistently finished first on the scoreboard, operating primarily on Jett, Raze, and Waylay with the occasional Chamber.
EDward Gaming arrive as the returning 2024 Champions winners, and after China’s quieter 2025 internationally, ZmjjKK carries an entire region’s expectations into London. If any player at this event is capable of a single-handed run that puts China back in the title conversation, it is him.
4. Nothing – Team Heretics (VCT EMEA)
Enes “Nothing†Ecirli is the engine that kept EMEA Stage 1 champions Team Heretics running across one of the most gruelling regional schedules of the year. He played the full 682 rounds of the competition and barely dropped off across any of it: 209.9 ACS, a 1.10 K:D, 76% KAST, and 43 first kills across a pool spanning Fade, Sova, and Skye.
For an initiator, those first blood numbers are extraordinary. RieNs does not just gather information; he acts on it. His ability to deliver in tight situations was a consistent talking point as Heretics ground through the lower bracket all the way to the Stage 1 title. Arriving as EMEA’s first seed and regional champions, Heretics will go as far as RieNs can carry his consistency onto the international stage.
3. jaw gem – G2 Esports (VCT Americas)
Alexander “jaw gem†Mor has become one of the most reliable duelists in VALORANT, and the Americas Stage 1 grand final confirmed it. Named series MVP across all five maps against Leviatán, he finished with 89 kills, 31 assists, and 21 first kills, the highest on G2. His aggregate numbers across 608 rounds reflect a deeply selfless role: 209.1 ACS, a 0.98 K:D, and 91 first kills on a pool of Neon, Raze, and Yoru.
That first kills tally is the real story. jawgemo consistently opens space for teammates and lets the plays flow from there. With Neon nerfed heading into London, the question is whether that game elevates further when he transitions onto Raze or Jett full-time. The tools are there.
2. Get out – Team Vitality (VCT EMEA)
For the better part of two years, Nikita “Get out†Sirmitev was one of VALORANT’s most gifted duelists operating in what felt like the wrong agent. The Neon meta did not suit his aggressive, aim-heavy style. Patch 12.09 is, by most accounts, a direct Derke unlock.
The evidence from EMEA Stage 1 is hard to argue with. Across 534 rounds, Derke posted 219.7 ACS, a 1.09 K:D, 72% KAST, and led VIT with 94 first kills on a pool spanning Neon, Raze, and Jett. The defining moment came in the upper bracket final against FUT, where Derke ran rings around his opponents on Jett, racking up 20 kills in one half primarily using the Outlaw and the Operator, finishing the map with a 26/8/4 KDA and 392 ACS. In a post-nerf meta that rewards traditional aimers, Derke arriving at London with Jett and Raze back as his primary weapons is a prospect that should concern every Swiss Stage team.
1. causeN – Paper Rex (VCT Pacific)
There is an argument that Jason “causeN†Susanto is simply the most complete player in VALORANT right now. The Paper Rex IGL capped a dominant Stage 1 with a grand final performance for the ages: an ACS of 266, 63 kills, and 8 first kills across the three-map sweep of FULL SENSE, earning him the series MVP. It was his second consecutive international MVP award, having taken the same honour at Masters Toronto 2025.
What makes f0rsakeN genuinely different is not the statistics. It is the agent pool. He has played virtually every role in the game at championship level, the only notable exception being Gekko (so far), and does so while simultaneously calling team strategy as IGL. His individual ceiling, and PRX’s unpredictability combined with elite mechanical execution makes him the player we are most excited to watch in London.
Honorable mentions for Valorant Masters London best players
The regional K:D leaders for #VCT Stage 1! pic.twitter.com/V4v9JGsYka
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) May 26, 2026
Primmie – FULL SENSE (VCT Pacific)
Papaphatprimmie†Sriprapha had a standout Stage 1, posting the highest ACS on his team in the grand final despite PRX’s dominance. His numbers throughout the season were consistently elite, and FULL SENSE’s grand final run was built heavily around him. The question is simple: he has never played a Masters event before (although he played at Champs 2024 with Talon), and if he adapts, he could be the tournament’s breakout performer.
Neon – Leviatán (VCT Americas)
At just 18 years old, Bruno “Neon†RodrÃguez is one of the most watched young players in the scene. He led Americas in K:D at 1.45 across 543 rounds, posting 226.6 ACS, 77% KAST, and 69 first kills. His flexibility across Chamber, Omen, and Brimstone makes Leviatán one of the newest and most exciting teams.
s0pp – FUT Esports (VCT EMEA)
He “s0pp†Tur led all of EMEA in first kills with 113 across 497 rounds. His 227.8 ACS and 0.23 FKPR on an exclusive Neon diet made him one of the most dangerous entry players in the region all season. The question over s0pp heading into London is whether he can pivot cleanly onto Jett or Raze, or maintain his current level of Neon play. If he can, FUT become a genuine dark horse.
