Japanese organization VARREL is absorbing Ascension Pacific winners SLT Seongnam and joining VCT Pacific 2026.
The VCT Pacific organizations and teams are still active during the holidays. This time, VARREL acquired SLT, who qualified for VCT Pacific 2026 through Ascension. With this, they also take in their entire active roster and staff.
VARREL acquires SLT
Riot Games announced that Japanese organization VARREL will be joining VCT Pacific 2026. The entire South Korean SLT squad will be joining the org, and will be wearing VARREL colors starting VCT 2026: Pacific Kickoff.
They swept BOOM Esports in Ascension Pacific 2026 to earn their spot in the top league. Currently, both Ascension spots are taken up by South Korean teams, with the other being Nongshim RedForce.
"With their extensive history in esports, and experience managing cross-regional rosters, we are confident that VARREL will be an exciting addition to VCT Pacific," wrote Riot. "We are also happy for the players and coaches who will now have access to more resources and support as they prepare to compete at the highest level of VALORANT Esports."
SLT posted a short farewell post on their X, announcing the acquisition and thanking the fans for their support.
Likewise, VARREL posted a welcome to all the new members they are taking under their wing.
VARREL is an organization competing in a lot of major titles, even forming developmental "Youth" rosters for many of them. According to their site, VARREL has teams and players in Street Fighter, Tekken, Overwatch, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., Pokémon Unite, and TCG.
SLT tore through Ascension 2026, going 4-0 in matches during the group stage, then dropping no maps in the playoffs against NAOS Esports and BOOM Esports. Now with access to more resources under a more established organization, this squad may be a force to be reckoned with come Kickoff.
The VCT Pacific 2026 has been the site of massive organization moves recently. In the past few weeks, TALON was kicked from the league, before their spot and roster were taken by FULL SENSE.
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