In a shocking turn of events, UK VALORANT team BONK has been disqualified from the VCT 2027 EMEA Kickoff Europe Qualifier 1 after Riot Games confirmed that one of its participants was using unauthorized cheating software.
The announcement came on November 8, just two days after BONK stunned Aurora Gaming, a star-studded roster featuring VALORANT Champions 2026 finalist Derke, Boo, and trexx, with a dramatic 2-1 victory. BONK had even pulled off an incredible comeback on Bind after trailing 3-11, making the result one of the biggest upsets of the qualifier.
However, Riot’s investigation has now overturned BONK’s tournament run, giving Aurora another chance to qualify. Meanwhile, all registered BONK players and team participants have been provisionally suspended from Riot-sanctioned competitions.
In Brief:
- BONK disqualified: Riot Games confirmed that a participant on BONK used unauthorized cheating software during the VCT EMEA Kickoff Europe Qualifier 1.
- Shocking upset overturned: BONK previously defeated Aurora Gaming 2-1 on November 6, including a massive comeback from 3-11 on Bind.
- Aurora gets another chance: Aurora will face Project 100K in a replayed Round of 16 match, with the winner advancing to face YCATABLE.
- Investigation ongoing: All BONK players and registered participants are provisionally suspended, while Riot investigates their individual involvement before deciding on final penalties.
Riot Games Disqualifies BONK After Confirming Cheating in VCT EMEA Qualifier
On November 8, VALORANT Esports EMEA released an official statement confirming that BONK had been disqualified from the first European open qualifier for VCT 2027 EMEA Kickoff.
According to Riot Games, its anti-cheat team had been conducting ongoing match reviews throughout the qualifiers to identify suspicious behavior and protect competitive integrity.
During those reviews, suspicious activity involving BONK was reported, prompting a more detailed investigation.
Riot confirmed that one participant on the team had used unauthorized cheating software.
In its official announcement, Riot stated:
“Further investigation by our team confirmed that a participant on Team BONK was using unauthorised cheating software.”
As a result, BONK was immediately disqualified from VCT EMEA Kickoff Europe Qualifier 1.
Riot also announced that every player and other registered participant associated with BONK had been provisionally suspended from Riot-sanctioned competitions.
However, the organizer clarified that these suspensions are temporary measures while investigators determine each individual’s involvement.
Riot has not publicly identified the participant responsible for using the cheating software.
The organization reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to cheating, including knowingly assisting, enabling, or concealing cheating by others.
Any permanent bans or additional disciplinary actions will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
BONK Previously Stunned Aurora Gaming With an Incredible 3-11 Comeback
The disqualification comes after BONK’s surprising victory over Aurora Gaming on November 6.
Aurora had entered the qualifiers with an impressive roster featuring several internationally recognized VALORANT players.
The lineup includes:
- Derke: VALORANT Champions 2026 finalist and former Fnatic star.
- Boo: Former Team Heretics in-game leader.
- trexx: Experienced VCT EMEA player and former Team Vitality and Team Liquid member.
- B1SK: Experienced European VALORANT competitor.
- chiwa: Former NAVI player.
With that much talent, Aurora was widely considered one of the stronger teams competing in the open qualifier.
However, BONK managed to upset them in a three-map series.
The match ended with the following results:
| Map | BONK | Aurora Gaming |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset | 13 | 9 |
| Lotus | 8 | 13 |
| Bind | 15 | 13 |
| Series | 2 | 1 |
The deciding map, Bind, was particularly dramatic.
Aurora looked set to close out the series after building an 11-3 lead. However, BONK mounted an enormous comeback, forcing overtime before eventually securing a 15-13 victory.
At the time, the result sent shockwaves through the European VALORANT community. A relatively unknown UK team had just eliminated a roster featuring some of the region’s most accomplished players.
Following the win, BONK continued its tournament run, defeating Project 100K and YCATABLE to reach the semifinals.
However, Riot’s cheating investigation has now invalidated that run.
With the latest ruling, Aurora’s elimination has effectively been reversed, giving Derke and his teammates another shot at reaching the qualifier playoffs.
Aurora Gaming Reinstated as Riot Orders VCT EMEA Qualifier Matches to Be Replayed
Following BONK’s disqualification, Riot Games decided to replay two subsequent rounds of matches in the affected portion of the tournament bracket.
The decision was made after discussions with Aurora Gaming, Project 100K, and YCATABLE.
All three teams agreed to replay their affected matches on November 8.
The updated schedule is as follows:
| Match | Time (CET) | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Gaming vs. Project 100K | 17:00 | Round of 16 |
| Winner vs. YCATABLE | Approximately 19:30 | Quarterfinal |
Aurora will first take on Project 100K in the Round of 16.
The winner will advance to face YCATABLE in the quarterfinals, with a place in the Kickoff Europe Qualifier playoffs on the line.
Meanwhile, the semifinal against Pixel Lumina and the qualifier final have been postponed to a later date to accommodate the replayed matches.
Riot acknowledged that replaying tournament matches is highly unusual.
However, the organizer believes it is the fairest solution for the affected teams while maintaining the tournament’s competitive integrity.
Riot also clarified that the decision was specific to this incident and would not automatically establish a precedent for future cheating cases.
Derke Reacts to BONK Cheating Disqualification
Aurora Gaming star Derke appeared relieved after Riot announced the decision.
Following BONK’s disqualification, the Finnish player reacted on X with a blunt message:
“Fu*k cheaters”
He also celebrated Aurora getting another opportunity to compete, writing:
“We play today again!”
His reaction is understandable considering the circumstances.
Aurora had originally been eliminated from the competition following an extraordinary comeback by BONK, only for Riot’s investigation to reveal that a participant on the opposing team had been using unauthorized software.
However, Aurora still has work to do.
The team must defeat Project 100K and then YCATABLE to progress further in the tournament.
BONK Cheating Scandal Raises Concerns About VCT 2027 Open Qualifier Integrity
The incident comes as Riot Games expands its competitive ecosystem for the 2027 VALORANT Champions Tour.
Under the updated format, non-partner teams have more opportunities to compete against established organizations through open qualifiers.
The European pathway features two open qualifiers, with successful teams advancing to the Kickoff Europe Qualifier Playoffs.
Eventually, two European teams will qualify for VCT EMEA Kickoff, joining teams from Türkiye and the Middle East and North Africa.
Riot has also introduced financial support for qualifying non-partner teams, making these opportunities even more valuable.
However, allowing more teams to compete through online qualifiers also creates additional challenges for tournament integrity.
Interestingly, Riot published an update about strengthening VCT 2027 competitive integrity measures on November 5, just days before BONK’s disqualification.
These measures include:
- Stricter Vanguard compliance requirements.
- Additional account and player verification.
- Hardware and software security checks.
- More extensive competitive monitoring.
- Match reviews and investigations into suspicious behavior.
- Disciplinary action for confirmed competitive integrity violations.
The BONK incident highlights why these measures are important as Riot opens the VCT ecosystem to more competitors.
While the anti-cheat investigation successfully identified the violation, the situation has already disrupted multiple matches and forced tournament organizers to restructure part of the bracket.
