The Return of the Bears: How Virtus.pro Fought Back to the Top of Europe

Virtus.pro is an international esports organization founded on November 17, 2003, and has been competing in Rainbow Six Siege since May 2020. After back-to-back heartbreaking results at the Six Invitational 2024 and the Blast R6 Major Montreal, where they placed top 4, then having a string of disappointing results, finishing 9th-12th at Six Invitational 2025, 5th-8th at the 2025 Esports World Cup, and then failing to qualify for the Blast R6 Major Munich and being eliminated by Twisted Minds in the Six Invitational 2026 Last Chance Qualifier they decided to rearrange their all Russian roster.

Before the Europe MENA League 2026 - Kickoff, they moved Always to the substitute role, let go of JoyStiCK and Sheppard, who later became the head coach of Geekay Esports, and moved on from their coach karzheka. They then picked up SkyZs and Nayqo after Gen.G Esports disbanded their R6 team, as well as picking up Rorick from Geekay Esports, Dxrk from FEARX, and, lastly, former Into The Breach Manager Blainey.

During Kickoff, they finished second in Group A, going 2-1-1-0. In the playoffs, they beat Rebels Gaming 2-0, 7-3 on Clubhouse and 7-2 on Lair. They then beat Team Falcons 2-0, 7-2 on Kafe, and 7-5 on Lair, securing a top 2 finish. They then played G2 Esports in the finals, losing 2-0, 7-5 on Clubhouse and 7-3 on Lair.

They then focused their sights on the BLAST R6 Major Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, they failed to make Playoffs after Team Falcons got their revenge in Round 5 of the Swiss Stage: 2-1, 7-2 on Chalet, 7-3 on Fortress, and 7-4 on Lair. While they didn't quite meet their own expectations of making it through Swiss Stage, they showed great promise, beating Five Fears 8-6 on Lair and Weibo Gaming 7-4 on Kafe.

Now in Stage 1 of the Europe MENA League 2026, they have finished their Group Stage, going 8-0-0-1, earning 24 points and a +25 round differential, only losing to the #1 seed G2 Esports 7-3 and qualifying for the playoffs. There they will face Geekay Esports in a best-of-three series to make the Esports World Cup, after beating them 7-4 in Group Stage. Will Virtus.pro be able to qualify for the 2026 Esports World Cup and gain valuable points on the road to Six Invitational 2027? We will find out over the next couple of months.