Valorant off-season: Xi Lai Gaming let coach hvoya explore options as zander leaves Shopify Rebellion Black

The Valorant off-season is already under way before Champions Shanghai has finished. On Tuesday 13 October, Xi Lai Gaming allowed head coach Aleksandr "hvoya" Eremin to explore his options. Shopify Rebellion Black let North American player zander explore his options after one season, and Joblife appointed Pavle "pakko" Kostic as head coach. These are new moves, separate from the Champions final-weekend schedule covered earlier this week.

hvoya's future open at Xi Lai Gaming

Eremin announced on X that Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) have allowed him to explore offers this off-season. XLG was his first coaching job. He has led the Chinese team since the start of 2024, when it won the China National Competition Season 2 and then China Ascension. XLG won their first VCT title the following year.

In 2026, XLG qualified for every international event. Their best finish was fifth to sixth at Masters London. At Champions Shanghai, Nongshim RedForce eliminated them in the group stage. According to Riot's VCT Global Contract Database, Eremin is under contract until the end of the 2026 season. XLG also let him explore offers in 2025 before re-signing him.

zander and NaturE available from Shopify Rebellion Black

Controller player zander, who is also open to playing Sentinel, is set to leave Shopify Rebellion Black after one season. In 2026 the team finished second in all three North American Challengers stages. They also lost the final of the Americas Last Chance Qualifier in a five-map series that ran over two days because of long technical pauses. Earlier in his career, zander played for M80 and 100 Thieves. The organisation has also let in-game leader NaturE explore his options.

Joblife sign pakko through 2028

French Challengers team Joblife have hired pakko as head coach on a contract that runs to the end of the 2028 season. He has previously coached Diamant Esports and Karmine Corp's academy side, KCORP Blue Stars, whom he led to a France Stage 2 title in 2025. He joined Gentle Mates for 2026 but was released partway through the year. Joblife reached the EMEA Stage 2 Play-Ins in 2026 and finished ninth to tenth.

Other free agents, including Pacific players

PCIFIC Esports in-game leader qpert has also said he is looking for a new team after a winless 2026 in which PCIFIC went 0-17. In the Pacific, Indonesia's Rex Regum Qeon let Xan Ng explore free agency on 6 October, half a season after he replaced Monyet. ZETA DIVISION gave Xdll the same permission on the same day.

The 2026 Champions is the last of the franchise era. VCT is due to return to an open-qualifier format in 2027, which is likely to bring more player movement in the weeks after Champions ends.

Key takeaways

• Xi Lai Gaming have allowed head coach hvoya, whose contract runs to the end of 2026, to explore offers.
• zander is leaving Shopify Rebellion Black after a season in which the team finished second four times.
• Joblife have signed pakko as head coach until the end of the 2028 season.
• In Pacific, Xan Ng is free to leave RRQ, and Xdll can explore options at ZETA DIVISION.

FAQ

Is hvoya leaving Xi Lai Gaming? Not yet. XLG have allowed him to talk to other teams, but he is under contract until the end of the 2026 season.

Who is Joblife's new Valorant coach? Pavle "pakko" Kostic, formerly of Gentle Mates and KCORP Blue Stars, on a deal until the end of 2028.

Why are there so many Valorant roster moves now? The 2026 season ends with Champions Shanghai, and VCT returns to an open-qualifier format in 2027. Teams are rebuilding before then.

Sources: VLR.gg, Wikipedia