MIBR Benches Entire Valorant Roster for 2027 VCT Americas
MIBR moved its entire Valorant roster to inactive status on October 23, 2026, making all five players available for transfer ahead of the 2027 VCT Americas season to comply with new regional rules.
MIBR has benched its entire active VALORANT roster ahead of the 2027 VCT Americas season. The organization made all five players available for transfer negotiations on October 23, 2026, though they remain under contract. The benched lineup includes Erick 'aspas' Santos, Zachary 'zekken' Patrone, Andrew 'Verno' Maust, Roberto 'Mazino' Rivas, and Ian 'tex' Botsch.
This move benches a roster built around high-profile talent. It reunited the core of the 2024 LEVIATÁN squad by adding zekken, Mazino, and tex. Aspas is a VALORANT Champions 2022 winner, and zekken claimed the Masters Madrid title in 2024. The team was highly anticipated but never won an international trophy together. MIBR stated that "all existing contractual obligations remain in effect, and any potential transfers will be negotiated directly with MIBR."
Strategic Rationale and Regional Compliance
The drastic change addresses a disappointing competitive year and new league rules. MIBR missed all three global Valorant events in 2026. Rivals LEVIATÁN and LOUD won Masters London and Champions Shanghai, respectively. Aspas was absent from VALORANT Champions for the first time in his career.
The 2027 VCT structure forces MIBR's hand. The team will compete in the new Brazil division. Rules for 2027 require at least three Brazilian starters, with a maximum of two imports. MIBR's 2026 roster had only one Brazilian player, aspas. This made a full rebuild necessary for compliance.
2027 Competitive Structure and Timeline
The timeline for rebuilding is tight. VCT free agency for the 2027 season opens on November 3, 2026. MIBR has approximately 10 weeks to assemble a new squad before the 2027 Kickoff event in São Paulo. That tournament runs from January 14 to February 7.
The competitive format is also changing. As a partner team, MIBR receives direct entry only into the Kickoff event. The best-performing teams there advance, while the rest drop into a separate Open Playoffs stage.
Team Context and Future Outlook
MIBR retains its core coaching staff despite the player purge. Head coach Daniel 'fRoD' Montaner, assistant coach Happy, and manager Nandinnn all remain in place. The organization was named one of eight VCT Americas partner teams for 2027-2028.
The partner status brings financial and competitive benefits, including a stipend and revenue share. MIBR and LOUD are the two partner teams placed specifically in the Brazil division for 2027.
Player contracts complicate the transition. Tex's contract expires at the end of 2026, while the other four players are signed through 2027. This requires interested teams to negotiate transfers and likely pay buyouts to MIBR. The organization could open all spots to trials while retaining current players if no better options emerge.
Rumors are already swirling about destinations for the benched stars. Zekken has been linked with a return to Sentinels or a move to G2. Verno is also rumored to be a target for Sentinels, while aspas is connected to LOUD. No official talks or offers have been confirmed. MIBR now faces a crucial 10-week scramble to build a roster before the Kickoff São Paulo event begins on January 14, 2027.
