An unexpected new contender steps in
According to sources close to Sheep Esports, F9 EICAR will take over the VALORANT Challengers League France slot vacated by VIT.Revolution for the upcoming Stage 3. This move means a brand-new organization will join he league’s top flight. As of now, F9’s roster has not been announced, but given the start of the competition on July 7, 2025, an official reveal is expected any time now.
Vitality’s temporary lifeline
Last April, DVM was excluded from the league following incidents between supporters on the sidelines of the Challengers Day held at the Arènes in Évry-Courcouronnes. This expulsion left the DVM roster stranded mid-season. To avoid punishing the players for their organization’s misconduct, Webedia allowed the players to compete under a different banner. In a move coordinated with Riot Games and the players, Team Vitality temporarily signed the full DVM roster so they could complete Split 2 under another banner.
Rebranded as “VIT.Revolution”, the squad continued competing in the Challengers France playoffs wearing the Bee's colors. The club clarified that this was a one-off arrangement, with short-term contracts lasting only through the end of Split 2. This gesture allowed players, including names like Ștefan “Sayonara” Mîtcu and Ryad “Shin” Ensaad to finish the season, even as DVM’s organization had been permanently removed from the league.
With Stage 2 concluded, Team Vitality decided not to continue in VCL France. Focused on its VCT international ambitions, the French powerhouse will not field a lineup in Stage 3. This opened the door for another team to enter the league. F9 EICAR has been selected to fill the available spot for Split 3. The emerging French organization known for its involvement in local VALORANT circuits will make its debut in the Challengers League.
Header photo credit: F9 EICAR