Europe MENA League 2025 - Stage 1 is a European league featuring 5 partner teams from the R6 Share program, along with 3 affiliated teams previously part of the program. Additionally, 2 teams have qualified through the Challenger Series. The league will run from June 16 to July 23, with the top 5 teams earning direct invitations to the Esports World Cup 2025. Let's delve into the format, opening matches, and teams to watch.

Format

Europe MENA League 2025 — Stage 1 will take place from June 16 to July 23 and will consist of two stages:

• Group Stage: 10 teams will compete in a Bo1 format. Points will be awarded for a win in regular time, a win in overtime, and a loss in overtime. No points will be given for a loss in regular time. The top 2 teams will advance directly to the playoff semifinals. Teams ranked 3rd to 6th will enter the quarterfinals. Teams finishing 7th to 10th will exit the tournament.
• Playoffs: This stage will follow a Double Elimination format. The top 2 teams from the group start from the semifinals, while teams ranked 3rd to 6th start from the quarterfinals. Matches are expected to be in a Bo3 format (TBD). The top 5 teams from the playoffs will receive invitations to the Esports World Cup 2025.

The complete prize distribution for the tournament is known. Additionally, the top 5 teams will earn SI Points, which will be considered in the season rankings. The top 11 teams with the most points will receive direct invitations to the Six Invitational 2026:

• 1st place - €25,000 + 300 SI Points
• 2nd place - €16,250 + 150 SI Points
• 3rd place - €13,750 + 50 SI Points
• 4th place - €11,850 + 50 SI Points
• 5th place - €11,250 + 50 SI Points
• 6th place - €10,650 + 0 SI Points
• 7th place - €10,000 + 0 SI Points
• 8th-10th place - €8,750 + 0 SI Points

Opening Matches

• MACKO Esports (2.40) vs. Gen.G Esports (1.50)
• Wolves Esports (2.80) vs. G2 Esports (1.38)
• Virtus.pro (2.35) vs. Team Falcons (1.52)
• Team BDS (2.30) vs. Team Secret (1.55)
• fnatic (1.25) vs. WYLDE (3.50)

Odds provided by Stake and are current at the time of publication.

Main Favorites

Two teams clearly stand out in the race for a playoff semifinal spot and a direct ticket to the Esports World Cup — Falcons and G2. Falcons boast a star-studded roster that dominated the scene in 2024: first place in SI Points, three consecutive second-place finishes at majors in Montreal, Manchester, and Six Invitational 2025, and a victory at the Esports World Cup 2024. After SI, the entire roster transitioned to the Falcons tag and now represents this club. Despite an early exit to w7m in the RE:L0:AD 2025 playoffs, Falcons remain one of Europe's strongest teams, capable of securing a slot at EWC. G2, on the other hand, started RE:L0:AD poorly but managed to regroup and secure two crucial wins. They fell short of the playoffs, but the roster was strengthened with a substitution after the tournament. With their experience and potential, G2 are rightfully considered contenders for the semifinals and a slot.

Contenders

Teams with serious chances for a playoff spot and a ticket to the Esports World Cup include Team Secret, Virtus.pro, and Gen.G. Team Secret had a disappointing performance at Six Invitational 2025 (17th-20th place) but later secured 3rd place at the Malta Cyber Series VIII, losing only to future champions Gen.G. At RE:L0:AD, the team showed competitive play but was eliminated due to a controversial bullet system and two tough matches against FURIA and Wildcard. The roster has potential, and Secret is capable of reaching the top 4. Virtus.pro shone in the group stage of Six Invitational 2025, finishing first in their group but unexpectedly lost all matches in the playoffs. The team made no roster changes, only strengthening the coaching staff. Gen.G, previously competing under the ENCE tag, became champions of Malta Cyber Series VIII, defeating fnatic, Team Secret, and Wolves Esports during the tournament. Although the roster didn't qualify for SI 2025, after rebranding, the team can confidently rise and become serious contenders for a slot.

Dark Horses

Teams that can both surprise and falter include Team BDS, fnatic, and Wolves Esports. BDS, once one of Europe's strongest teams, have assembled a new roster after selling the previous one. Their performance at RE:L0:AD 2025 raises questions, but history shows that such rosters can quickly find their game. With enough synergy, BDS can compete for the playoffs. fnatic finished RE:L0:AD 2025 at the bottom, but previously reached the finals of Malta Cyber Series VIII, only losing to Gen.G. They didn't qualify for SI 2025 but showed potential in matches against Wolves and Secret. Before the league, the team made one substitution, which will be crucial. Wolves Esports, despite finishing 5th-6th at Malta Cyber Series, remain a mystery. The team qualified by eliminating fnatic but hasn't been seen in official matches since. Their current form is unknown, but they shouldn't be underestimated.

Outsiders

Teams facing significant challenges in reaching the playoffs and competing for slots at the Esports World Cup include MACKO Esports and WYLDE. MACKO entered the league as winners of the Challenger Series and placed 5th-6th at Malta Cyber Series VIII, defeating fnatic along the way. Despite occasional highlights, they lack stability and experience at the tier-1 level. WYLDE, who entered the league as the second-place team in the Challenger Series, haven't competed elsewhere in 2025. Their roster remains largely unknown to the broader audience, and expectations are low — but the potential for an upset remains.

Europe MENA League 2025 — Stage 1 kicks off as a crucial milestone of the season for European and Middle Eastern teams. Here, last year's giants face off against newcomers, and every match can shift the balance of power. Falcons boast a revamped super roster with titles and experience on the biggest stages. G2, Virtus.pro, and Secret remain formidable forces, while ambitious Gen.G has already proven their potential on the international stage. Meanwhile, teams like fnatic, Wolves, and BDS are seeking a second wind — and can shake up the tournament at any moment. For teams like MACKO and WYLDE, who advanced through the Challenger Series, participating in the league is a chance not only to make a name for themselves but also to rewrite predictions. With such a level of competition, even an underdog can influence the fate of a slot at the Esports World Cup.