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Valorant Champions Tour
Valorant Champions Tour
Valorant Champions Tour
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Valorant Champions Tour
GameValorant
Founded2020; 5 years ago (2020)
First season2021; 4 years ago (2021)
OwnerRiot Games
DirectorLeo Faria[1]
CountryGlobal
Official websitevalorantesports.com

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is a global competitive esports tournament series for the video game Valorant organised by Riot Games, the game's developers. The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating in Valorant Champions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announced in 2020, with its inaugural season taking place in 2021.

History

[edit]

2021–2022: Open-qualifiers era

[edit]

In November 2020, Riot Games announced the first Valorant Champions Tour, a tournament series divided into three tiers: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Challengers would act as the lowest tier, split into seven regions: North America, Brazil, Latin America (Hispanic America), EMEA, Southeast Asia (which later included South Asia and Oceania, becoming the Asia-Pacific region), Korea, Japan. Teams that advance past Challengers would move on to Masters, where teams would not be divided by regions anymore, and the top 16 teams from Masters would move on to Champions, the final tournament of VCT.[2] In February 2021, they announced the VCT Game Changers, a supplementary tournament initiative for women and marginalized genders.[3]

Riot hired esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers as operators and producers for all North American Challengers and Masters events.[4][5] They also hired several third-party companies to broadcast their events, such as Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP) for their Spanish-language broadcasts and LetsPlay.Live for their Oceania broadcasts.[6] The 2021 Champions tournament took place on December 1–12 at the Verti Music Hall in Berlin, Germany, concluding with team Acend defeating Gambit Esports in the grand finals by a score of 3–2.[7][8]

Over 10,000 teams competed in the VCT in 2021. Outside of Champions, VCT saw its highest viewership at the Reykjavík Masters tournament in May, with a peak viewership of 1,085,850. The Champions grand finals match in December reached a peak viewership of 1,089,068, making it the VCT's highest peak viewership.[9][10]

Riot made several changes to the format of VCT for its second iteration. While the overall structure of Challengers, Masters, and Champions remained unchanged, it reduced the number of stages of Challengers and Masters events from three to two. VCT Challengers began on February 11, 2022.[11] The 2022 Champions Tournament took place from September 1 to 18 in Istanbul, Turkey.[12]

2023–present: Partnerships era

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Riot Games announced a new format starting in 2023.[13] The season will be split into three international regions – Americas, EMEA, and Pacific instead of the 7 regions format used in previous years. Each international region will have its own International League that replaces the Challengers to become the domestic competitions to qualify for Masters and Champions. On September 21, 2022, Riot Games announced the thirty teams that had been selected as part of their new partnership format.[14][15]

For China, Riot Games showed favor towards players here by giving Chinese teams a number of direct slots to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through third parties competitions in Hong Kong server, instead of having to play through Pacific league. In a June 2023 press conference, Riot COO Whalen Rozelle confirmed that Valorant would launch in China in July under the name 无畏契约 (lit. 'Fearless Contract'), with hopes to launch a VCT league there in 2024.[16] Shortly after in August, Riot announced an own regional league for China, and raising the number of partnered teams to 40.[17]

Leagues and format

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Franchised leagues

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International Leagues

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As of 2023, 30 teams are selected to be partner teams in International Leagues for five years (to 2027) with 10 teams per region. Non-partner teams compete in many sub-regions of Challengers events to qualify for "Ascension" events. The Ascension events in 2023 and 2024 had one winner per region, which earned them a temporary (initially two-year) promotion into their regions' International League. The promoted teams have a chance to qualify for the global tournaments (Masters and Champions), as well as get benefits provided to other partnered teams. Through the Challengers promotion system, the four International Leagues expanded by one team each, until they reached a cap of 12 teams in each region in 2025 (beforehand this was supposed to be a 14-team cap by 2027).[18][19] From 2025, the two temporary teams per International League can stay up via qualifying for Champions, compete in Ascension to stay in the league if they finished 5th to 8th, or get relegated back to their Challengers region if finishing 9th to 12th; only one of the guest teams per region can stay up via Champions, with the best performer of the two guests taking the spot if both qualify.[20]

Teams in each International League play on LAN in a centralized local: the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles for VCT Americas,[21] Riot Games Arena in Berlin for VCT EMEA,[22] and Sangam SOOP Colosseum in Seoul for VCT Pacific.[23]

Americas EMEA Pacific
Partner teams
100 Thieves BBL Esports DetonatioN FocusMe
Cloud9 Fnatic DRX
Evil Geniuses FUT Esports Gen.G
Furia Gentle Mates[a] Global Esports
KRÜ Esports GiantX[b] Paper Rex
Leviatán Karmine Corp Rex Regum Qeon
LOUD Natus Vincere T1
MIBR Team Heretics Talon Esports
NRG Team Liquid Team Secret
Sentinels Team Vitality ZETA DIVISION
Non-partner teams
G2 Esports[c] ULF Esports SLT Seongnam
ENVY PCIFIC Esports[d] Nongshim RedForce[e]

China League

[edit]

Right from global launch, although Valorant had not been licensed for release in China, Riot Games showed favor towards Chinese players by allowing Chinese teams to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through achievements in domestic tournaments organized by third parties, played at Hong Kong server.[f]

Since 2024, with Valorant licensed for release servers in mainland, Riot launched the VCT CN specifically for the only country that they considers a pro region on the same level as the three International Leagues for many countries, as well as competition slots for only teams from China at Masters and Champions.[30] They also announced the second Masters event of the year to take place in Shanghai and released a new Chinese agent Iso alongside previous agent Sage.

Similar to three International Leagues, ten Chinese teams are selected to be partner teams in China League for four years (to 2027), and two non-partner teams qualified from the China Ascension. The China League is based at the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai.[31]

Partner teams (2024–27)
All Gamers
Bilibili Gaming
Edward Gaming
FunPlus Phoenix
JD Gaming
Nova Esports
Titan Esports Club
Trace Esports
Tyloo
Wolves Esports
Non-partner teams
Dragon Ranger Gaming
Xi Lai Gaming

Former teams and timeline

[edit]
Americas EMEA Pacific China
2Game Esports[g] Apeks[g] BLEED Esports[h]
Movistar KOI[i][a] BOOM Esports[h][j]

Global tournaments

[edit]

Valorant Masters

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The Valorant Masters is a biannual Valorant international tournament organized by Riot Games in the middle of the year since 2021.[33][34] Similar to the Mid-Season Invitational for League of Legends, it is the second most important international Valorant tournament after Champions.[35] There are usually two Masters tournaments each year. Teams must place near the top of their regional league to qualify for Masters.[36][37]

Valorant Champions

[edit]

The Valorant Champions is the annual professional Valorant world championship tournament hosted by Riot Games and is the culmination of each VCT season. It includes spots with points earned throughout the year. Teams compete for the world champion title of Valorant esports.

Non-partner leagues as tier 2

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Challengers and Ascension

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Non-partner teams compete in Challengers events of sub-regions in Americas, EMEA and Pacific to qualify for "Ascension", the yearly promotion event to the respective International Leagues. Originally, it was announced that teams would have two-year stays in their International League after winning Ascension, with one team promoted every year until 2026, when two teams would be promoted every year until 2028. The leagues would have 14 teams each, totaling to 42 teams across the three leagues.

On June 21, 2024, Riot announced changes to the Ascension format from 2025, with teams promoted to the International Leagues for one-year stays instead, after which they would be relegated to Challengers again if they did not finish in the top 8 in their region's regional League; if they qualified for Champions however, they get to stay for another year; if they finished in the playoffs of the International League, they qualify for that year's Ascension for a chance to keep their place in the league.[20]

In 2023-24, there are 23 minor regional leagues across the three international territories.[38] From 2025, they got decreased to 15.

Valorant Game Changers

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Valorant Game Changers is a series of domestic competitions for women and other genders within Valorant esports.[39] Teams that finish in top places qualify for the Valorant Game Changers Championship, the world championship event of Game Changers, and also earn the chance to be promoted to their region's Challengers league.

Results

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International Leagues & China League winners

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(*) Non-partner teams in franchise system

Year Event Americas EMEA Pacific China
2023 League LOUD Team Liquid Paper Rex League did not exist
2024 Kickoff Sentinels Karmine Corp Gen.G Edward Gaming
Stage 1 100 Thieves Fnatic Paper Rex Edward Gaming
Stage 2 Leviatán Fnatic Gen.G Edward Gaming
2025 Kickoff G2 Esports Team Vitality DRX Edward Gaming
Stage 1 G2 Esports Fnatic Rex Regum Qeon Xi Lai Gaming
Stage 2 G2 Esports Team Liquid Paper Rex Bilibili Gaming

Global tournaments

[edit]
Year Event Location Final No. Ref.
Winner Score Runner-up
2021 Stage 2 Masters[k] Reykjavík Sentinels 3 0 Fnatic 10 [40]
Stage 3 Masters Berlin Gambit Esports 3 0 Team Envy 16 [41]
Champions Berlin Acend 3 2 Gambit Esports 16 [42]
2022 Stage 1 Masters Reykjavík OpTic Gaming 3 0 LOUD 12 [43]
Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen FunPlus Phoenix 3 2 Paper Rex 12 [44]
Champions Istanbul LOUD 3 1 OpTic Gaming 16 [45]
2023 LOCK//IN[l] São Paulo Fnatic 3 2 LOUD 32 [46]
Masters Tokyo Chiba[m] Fnatic 3 0 Evil Geniuses 12 [47]
Champions Los Angeles[n] Evil Geniuses 3 1 Paper Rex 16 [48]
2024 Masters Madrid Madrid Sentinels 3 2 Gen.G 8 [49]
Masters Shanghai Shanghai Gen.G 3 2 Team Heretics 12 [50]
Champions Seoul[o] Edward Gaming 3 2 Team Heretics 16 [51]
2025 Masters Bangkok Bangkok T1 3 2 G2 Esports 8 [52]
Masters Toronto Toronto Paper Rex 3 1 Fnatic 12 [53]
Champions Paris[p] NRG 3 2 Fnatic 16 [54]
2026 Masters Santiago Santiago 12
Masters London London 12
Champions Shanghai 16

Teams' titles

[edit]

  *   Team or organization no longer participates in Valorant esports.

Team Region Champions Masters Total
Acend EMEA 1 0 1
Edward Gaming China 1 0 1
Evil Geniuses Americas 1 0 1
LOUD Americas 1 0 1
NRG Americas 1 0 1
Fnatic EMEA 0 2[q] 2
Sentinels Americas 0 2 2
FunPlus Phoenix[r] EMEA 0 1 1
Gambit Esports EMEA 0 1 1
Gen.G Pacific 0 1 1
OpTic Gaming Americas 0 1 1
Paper Rex Pacific 0 1 1
T1 Pacific 0 1 1

Regions' titles

[edit]
Region Champions Masters Total
Americas 3 3 6
EMEA 1 4 5
China 1 0 1
Pacific 0 3 3

Ascension winners

[edit]
Year Americas EMEA Pacific China
2023 The Guard[c] Gentle Mates BLEED Esports[h] Dragon Ranger Gaming
2024 2Game Esports Apeks Sin Prisa Gaming[e] Xi Lai Gaming
2025 ENVY ULF Esports BBL PCIFIC[d] SLT Seongnam Nongshim RedForce Dragon Ranger Gaming

Valorant Game Changers Championship

[edit]
Year Location Final
Champion Score Runner-up
2022 Berlin G2 Gozen 3 2 Shopify Rebellion GC
2023 São Paulo Shopify Rebellion 3 2 Team Liquid Brazil
2024 Berlin Shopify Rebellion 3 0 MIBR GC
2025 Seoul

Awards

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Masters

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The original masters trophy was unveiled by Riot at a May 2021 media preview event in the build up to Masters Reykjavik. It features a metal bottom and a glass top.

The trophy was redesigned in 2023, again by Volpin Props, to be reusable for Masters tournaments in multiple regions.[55] It stands at 18 inches (46 cm) and features a swappable 'Radianite' core. For Masters Tokyo, it featured duelist Yoru's ultimate Oni mask. The body of the trophy is palladium-plated with plastic components.

Champions

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The Valorant Champions trophy was first unveiled ahead of Valorant Champions 2021. Also designed and built by Volpin Props of Atlanta, Georgia, it stands at 2 feet (61 cm) tall and is partially 3D-printed, with 24 karat gold decoration overlaid.[56]

Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Valorant Champions Tour

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from Grokipedia
The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is the official Tier 1 professional esports circuit for Valorant, a free-to-play 5v5 tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Riot Games. Launched in 2021 following its announcement in November 2020, the VCT organizes global competition through a structured season that culminates in the annual Champions world championship, where the top teams vie for the title of world champion. The circuit divides global play into four international leagues—Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and ), Pacific, and —each featuring partnered professional teams competing in regular-season matches, playoffs, and qualification events. A typical VCT season spans three main stages per league: Kickoff (an initial tournament), Stage 1, and Stage 2, with top performers earning Championship Points and advancing to international Masters tournaments held in host cities selected by Riot Games primarily based on a strong local player base and community enthusiasm, logistical suitability (including venue capacity for large audiences, high-quality internet for broadcasting, and lenient visa requirements for players), and the potential to celebrate local culture while engaging fans worldwide. The goal is to maximize accessibility and impact for players and fans globally. These Masters events, limited to 8–12 elite teams, serve as mid-season showcases, while the year-end tournament invites the 16 highest-point-earning squads for a double-elimination and a multimillion-dollar prize pool. Since its inception, the VCT has evolved to include expanded pathways for emerging teams through the Challengers tier, fostering a competitive ecosystem that has attracted millions of viewers worldwide. Notable developments include the introduction of program in 2021 to promote diverse talent and the 2025 season's global events in , , and , highlighting the tour's commitment to international expansion. In 2025, from the Americas League claimed title by defeating 3–2 in the grand final, marking a historic win for the organization.

History

2021–2022: Open qualifiers and inaugural seasons

announced the Champions Tour (VCT) on November 24, 2020, establishing it as the official global competitive circuit for , featuring a tiered structure of regional and international events designed to identify the world's best teams through open competition. The inaugural 2021 season adopted an open qualifier system to promote accessibility, with each of the three regions—, , and —hosting three stages: open qualifiers feeding into Challengers leagues, followed by regional Masters tournaments, and culminating in two international Masters events. This pathway qualified 16 teams for Champions, held December 1–12 in Berlin, Germany, where European squad Acend defeated 3–2 in the grand final to claim the first world championship title and a $350,000 share of the $1 million prize pool. The 2022 season refined the format to build on initial momentum, introducing VCT São Paulo as a kickoff international event in featuring all 30 partnered teams from the regional circuits, followed by two Challengers stages per region that fed into three international Masters tournaments—, , and —and the season-ending Champions in . Brazilian team LOUD emerged victorious at Champions 2022, defeating 3–1 on September 18 to secure the $300,000 top prize from a $1 million pool, while the overall VCT 2022 prize distribution across all events exceeded $6 million, reflecting Riot's investment in escalating rewards. Throughout 2021 and 2022, the VCT faced significant challenges, including player burnout due to the demanding schedule of multiple regional and international events with minimal breaks, which led to early retirements and calls for better rest periods from professionals. Regional disparities in viewership highlighted uneven global engagement, with North American and European events often peaking over 1 million concurrent viewers while lagged behind due to issues and emerging infrastructure. Additionally, building infrastructure proved arduous, as coordinated with over 10,000 teams in open qualifiers and partnered with local organizers to establish production standards, venues, and broadcasting pipelines amid the rapid scaling of a new title's ecosystem. Key partnerships bolstered the VCT's early growth, including Riot's exclusive broadcasting deal with Twitch for all official streams starting in 2021, which enabled global accessibility and integrated viewer rewards to drive engagement. Red Bull emerged as a prominent sponsor, signing multi-year agreements as the official partner for VCT in December 2021 and extending to EMEA in 2022, providing branding, athlete support, and content collaborations to enhance the circuit's visibility. These foundational efforts in open qualifiers and inaugural seasons paved the way for structural shifts, including the introduction of in 2023 to stabilize teams and address ongoing challenges.

2023–2025: Franchising, partnerships, and global expansion

In September 2022, Riot Games announced the franchising of the Valorant Champions Tour's international leagues for the 2023 season, selecting 30 partnered organizations—10 each for the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific regions—to secure permanent slots without annual promotion/relegation risks, while the VCT China league remained an open circuit. This model shifted from the prior open qualifier system, emphasizing long-term investments in player development and regional ecosystems, with teams required to meet marketing and content production commitments rather than paying direct franchise fees. There is no publicly available comprehensive list of valuations for active Valorant professional teams, as most are private organizations and valuations are not regularly disclosed. Franchise slot costs were reportedly in the range of tens of millions of dollars when introduced in 2023. The 2023 season introduced a structured format with LOCK//IN São Paulo as the global opener in February–March, where emerged victorious, followed by two regional splits per league feeding into three international Masters events and Champions in . dominated the Masters circuit, winning both in April and in June, while claimed the Champions title in August, marking the first world championship under the franchised structure. This setup stabilized team rosters and boosted professionalization, with sharing revenue streams to support operations. In 2024, the tour expanded prize pools, elevating Champions to $2.25 million, alongside Masters events in (March, won by Sentinels) and (June, won by ), fostering greater international competition and fan engagement. EDward Gaming's victory at Champions in August highlighted China's growing prominence, as the first non-international league team to win the event. The year saw enhanced partnerships, including revenue-sharing models that guaranteed minimum player salaries starting at around $50,000 annually for tier-one pros, promoting sustainability amid rising operational costs. For 2025, the circuit featured Masters (won by T1) and Masters (won by ), culminating in Champions , where NRG secured the title in after a 3-2 grand final over . Ascension tournaments expanded regionally, with the Pacific event promoting two teams—SLT Seongnam and RedForce—to the 2026 league, integrating broader APAC representation without a formal merger but through adjusted qualification pathways for Southeast Asian squads. anti-cheat received iterative updates, including winter 2023 enhancements to counter evolving cheats and a 2025 ban wave record, ensuring competitive integrity. Global viewership peaked at over 1.6 million for major events like Masters , surpassing prior benchmarks and reflecting the tour's expanding reach. Franchising introduced controversies, including disputes over team buyouts; Riot reportedly blocked FlyQuest's 2024 attempt to acquire ' slot, citing policy violations and prioritizing ecosystem stability. Regional travel logistics in 2024 drew criticism, particularly for teams facing dense schedules and long-haul flights to international events, as highlighted by coach fRoD, exacerbating fatigue and performance inconsistencies. Rumors of slot reevaluations persisted into 2025, with underperforming franchises like facing potential replacement to maintain league competitiveness.

Leagues and circuits

International leagues

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) international leagues consist of three franchised circuits—, EMEA, and Pacific—each expanded to 12 teams starting in the 2025 season, for a total of 36 slots across these regions. This franchised model, introduced in 2023, replaced open qualifiers with a partnership system where selected organizations through a competitive application process involving over 150 applicants, without requiring entry fees or buy-ins to prioritize talent recruitment. Selected teams receive annual stipends starting at a minimum of $600,000, with some exceeding $1.5 million, alongside where Riot provides 50% of esports-related digital goods income to partners; in 2024, this contributed to over $78 million distributed across VCT teams, including $44.3 million from in-game bundles. Each league follows a seasonal structure beginning with a Kickoff in , where the 12 teams compete in a double-elimination to determine seeding and qualify the top two finishers directly to the first international event, Masters . This is followed by two main splits—Stage 1 ( to May) and Stage 2 (July to August)—each featuring a regular season divided into two groups of six teams based on Kickoff performance, with each team playing a double round-robin format for 10 matches. Stage playoffs then adopt a double-elimination format, where the top three teams from each league advance to subsequent international tournaments like Masters or Champions , while overall season points determine additional qualifiers. For the 2025 schedule, Stage 1 regular seasons ran from 22 to April 25 across leagues, culminating in playoffs through May, with Stage 2 following from July 15 to August 31. Prominent teams in the Americas league include Sentinels, 100 Thieves, Cloud9, G2 Esports, NRG, LOUD, Leviatán, KRÜ Esports, Furia, and MIBR (note that Evil Geniuses withdrew in 2024), representing North and South American organizations with strong fanbases in the U.S. and . In EMEA, key participants are Fnatic, Team Vitality, Team Heretics, Karmine Corp, NAVI, Team Liquid, Giants Gaming, and APEKS, drawing from European talent pools in the UK, , and . The Pacific league features squads like Paper Rex, DRX, Gen.G, T1, ZETA Division, Boom Esports, and Nongshim RedForce, primarily from , , and . For an up-to-date list of franchised teams in each international league, refer to official sources such as valorantesports.com or Liquipedia. Operationally, these leagues mandate player development initiatives, including the establishment of teams by over 15 organizations in 2025 to nurture Tier 2 talent through affiliated contracts and subsidized rosters, facilitating pathways into professional play. Teams engage in cross-region scrims to simulate international competition, supported by Riot's global ecosystem, which includes scouting tools, the Global Contract Database for roster management, and programs like the Pro Player Council in EMEA to incorporate athlete feedback on league improvements.

China league

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) China league was announced in August 2023 as the fourth international league, with its inaugural season launching in 2024 as a non-franchised circuit incorporating open qualifiers via the annual Ascension tournament to promote new talent. Unlike the fixed-slot franchising model in other regions, VCT China relies on a mix of partner organizations and competitive promotion, fostering broader participation from the domestic scene. The league is organized by TJ Sports and Hero Esports in collaboration with Riot Games, emphasizing regional growth in China's esports ecosystem. For the 2025 season, the league expanded to 12 teams, consisting of established partner squads and one team (XLG ) promoted via Ascension 2024, allowing for greater competition and roster diversity. The format features three splits annually—Kickoff, Stage 1, and Stage 2—each structured around a group stage where teams are divided into two pools of six for single round-robin best-of-three matches, followed by double-elimination playoffs involving the top performers from each pool. Top finishes across the splits award VCT points for international qualification, with the highest point earners securing spots at events like Masters and Champions, aligning with global circuit rules for three regional slots. The league has garnered significant domestic attention, with matches streamed primarily on Huya and drawing peak viewership exceeding 40,000 concurrent users during key s, reflecting Valorant's strong foothold in China's streaming landscape. Adaptations in the Chinese version of the game, including modifications to agent appearances such as removed tattoos on characters like Chamber to comply with local content regulations, ensure cultural alignment without altering core competitive mechanics. Prize pools for the splits are denominated in , providing substantial incentives equivalent to hundreds of thousands of USD per when aggregated across the season. Prominent teams include (EDG), known for its aggressive playstyle; Bilibili Gaming; FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), a consistent performer with international experience; and ThunderTalk Gaming, which has risen through domestic contention; among others. For an up-to-date and complete list of participating teams, refer to official sources such as valorantesports.com or Liquipedia. EDG's triumph at Champions 2024, where they defeated Team Heretics 3-2 in the grand final to claim China's first global VCT title, exemplified the league's competitive depth and elevated its profile on the world stage. Despite these successes, VCT China teams encounter logistical hurdles, including visa delays that have impacted travel to international events, sometimes requiring last-minute adjustments or stand-ins. Additionally, coordinating the intensive VCT calendar with overlapping local tournaments demands careful scheduling to maintain player welfare and performance consistency.

Promotion pathways

The Challengers leagues constitute the tier-2 competitive within the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), operating in each major to foster emerging talent and provide structured competition below the international leagues. Qualification begins with open events in mode, ' grassroots competitive platform, where teams from amateur and semi-professional levels vie for promotion through regional contender divisions. Successful squads advance to the Challengers roster, typically comprising 10 to 16 teams per depending on the area—such as 12 teams in EMEA Stage 1 and 16 in for 2025—participating across multiple splits per season. These teams compete in a Swiss-system group stage followed by , with top finishers earning Championship Points and seeding for the annual Ascension tournament, while standout performances also draw scouting interest from and potential partners for advisory roles or direct opportunities. Ascension tournaments, launched in 2023 as an annual capstone event, offer the core pathway for Challengers teams to ascend to VCT status by competing for a single promotion slot per region. The event gathers the highest-seeded squads from regional Challengers —usually four to six teams—and unfolds over a multi-day format featuring initial round-robin or Swiss-style groups to determine playoff seeding, transitioning into double-elimination or single-elimination brackets for . The champion secures a one-year VCT franchise contract, subject to Riot's final approval. Notable outcomes include Gentle Mates claiming the 2023 EMEA slot after defeating teams from across and the , DarkZero Gaming winning Americas Ascension 2024 to join VCT Americas 2025, and Sin Prisa Gaming taking Pacific Ascension 2024 for entry into VCT Pacific. In 2025, expanded promotion opportunities amid VCT growth, introducing additional slots in select regions to bolster league depth; for instance, EMEA Ascension promoted two teams to VCT EMEA for 2026, while Pacific Ascension allocated two spots following a 10-team field. This adjustment, part of broader circuit reforms including revamped Championship Points, allows mid-season evaluations for extensions or defenses of slots based on ongoing performance, rather than fixed multi-year terms. The selection process for promoted teams emphasizes on-tournament results alongside 's holistic review, incorporating organizational criteria such as financial stability, reputation, and fan engagement metrics to confirm viability for professional commitments. These pathways have facilitated greater roster turnover and talent infusion into the VCT, with promoted teams often retaining core players while integrating new talent to compete at the international level. Complementing this, the Game Changers initiative offers a parallel route for gender-inclusive squads through dedicated tournaments and qualifiers. No schedule for Valorant Challengers Japan (VCJ) in 2026 has been announced yet. Esports schedules for future years like 2026 are typically released closer to the season start, often in late the previous year. Current information is only available up to 2025 seasons on official sources and esports wikis.

Game Changers initiative

The Valorant Game Changers initiative, launched by Riot Games in 2021 as part of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), is designed to create opportunities and visibility for women and other marginalized genders in professional esports. The program addresses the underrepresentation of these groups in competitive gaming by providing dedicated competitive pathways, fostering skill development, and promoting an inclusive environment within the Valorant ecosystem. Game Changers operates through regional circuits modeled after the VCT Challengers format, featuring open qualifiers and structured stages that culminate in qualification for the annual international championship. These circuits span six major regions: , , (collectively under ), EMEA, Pacific (including , , , and Korea), and China. Teams compete in online and offline events throughout the year, with top performers advancing based on performance in splits and playoffs. The initiative's flagship event is the Game Changers Championship, an annual offline tournament that brings together the highest-achieving teams from each region in a double-elimination format, typically featuring best-of-three matches in early rounds escalating to best-of-five in the finals. The 2024 edition, held in from November 8 to 17, featured 10 teams and a $500,000 USD prize pool, marking an expansion from prior years to elevate the event's scale and production. The 2025 championship, scheduled for November 20 to 30 in Seoul's LoL Park, will similarly include 10 qualified teams from the regional circuits, emphasizing global competition and high-stakes play. In 2025, Game Changers saw significant developments aimed at bridging it with the broader VCT ecosystem, including enhanced scouting integration for top performers to transition into main league opportunities and the provision of dedicated resources to support player growth. Viewership for regional and international events has grown substantially, reaching a peak of 464,695 concurrent viewers during the 2024 Championship, reflecting increased global interest. Key achievements include over 80 qualifier events worldwide by , engaging thousands of participants and producing breakout talents who have crossed over to mixed-gender competitions. A notable example is Rebellion GC, the first Game Changers team to qualify for the North American Challengers league in , demonstrating the program's role in talent pipeline development. By 2025, the initiative had amassed more than 1,000 unique participants across its circuits, contributing to a more diverse competitive landscape. Broader objectives focus on closing the in , where women and marginalized genders remain underrepresented at professional levels. supports these goals through full funding of prize pools, travel logistics for international events, and robust anti-harassment policies enforced across all Game Changers activities to ensure a safe and equitable space.

International tournaments

Valorant Masters events

The Valorant Masters events form the cornerstone of the mid-season international competition in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), gathering elite teams from regional leagues to vie for Championship Points that shape seeding for the annual Champions finale. Introduced as part of the inaugural VCT circuit in , these tournaments emphasize high-stakes, on-LAN play to showcase global talent and foster rivalries across continents. Typically numbering two per year, they provide a platform for teams to adapt to evolving game metas following Act updates, while contributing to the overall narrative of the season's competitive arc. Since their debut, Masters events have featured 8 to 12 teams qualified primarily through stage points earned in international and leagues, ensuring representation from key regions like , EMEA, Pacific, and . The standard format features a Swiss stage for lower seeds followed by a double-elimination playoff with best-of-three matches (best-of-five ), and spans 7 to 10 days to allow for intense, focused competition. Prize pools have consistently been $500,000 USD per event from 2022 onward, distributed to highlight performance and incentivize excellence, though select editions like Masters Toronto 2025 escalated to $1,000,000 USD to amplify global appeal. Venue rotations have been a deliberate strategy to balance travel burdens and expand the VCT's footprint, alternating between , , and —for instance, the 2024-2025 cycle included and in 2024, followed by and in 2025. This approach not only mitigates logistical challenges for transcontinental rosters but also boosts local ecosystems through sold-out arenas and community engagement. In terms of evolution, the 2023 season introduced play-in rounds for lower seeds, enabling additional qualifiers to compete in initial matches and injecting unpredictability into the bracket. By 2025, enhancements like dedicated fan zones and augmented reality experiences at event venues elevated spectator immersion, blending live attendance with interactive digital elements. These events underscore the VCT's emphasis on strategic depth, as teams must navigate bracket resets and meta shifts in real-time, ultimately determining early momentum for while rewarding consistent regional dominance.

Valorant Champions

The Champions is the pinnacle annual tournament of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), serving as the year-end global championship that crowns the world champion team among the elite professional squads. Launched in 2021 as a 16-team event, it assembles the top performers from the VCT's international leagues to compete in a high-stakes format for ultimate supremacy and prestige. The inaugural edition took place from December 1 to 12 in , , establishing the event as the climactic finale of the competitive season. To optimize the off-season schedule and player recovery, the tournament shifted to an timing starting in 2023, allowing for a more streamlined global calendar. The competition format features a group divided into four double-elimination brackets using the GSL system, with each group containing four teams and all matches played as best-of-three series; the top two teams from each group advance to a double-elimination playoff bracket culminating in a best-of-five . This structure ensures intense matchups and second chances, highlighting and resilience. For the 2025 edition, the prize pool totaled $2.25 million USD, with the winning team receiving $1 million USD, underscoring the event's escalating financial stakes since its $1 million debut in 2021. Qualification draws from regional league standings and performances in the preceding Masters events, which act as key international qualifiers. In 2025, Champions was hosted in , , expanding the event's European footprint with group stage and early playoffs at Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud in Évry-Courcouronnes, and the upper bracket final, lower bracket final, and grand final at the 20,000-capacity . The 16-team field included four teams qualifying from each VCT region: , EMEA, Pacific, and . Legacy elements were prominent, including the signature Champions trophy—crafted by Volpin Props with 24-karat gold-plated cones, black tourmaline accents, and Radianite-inspired fissures—symbolizing enduring achievement and passed among victors since 2021. Post-2023 iterations moved to progressively larger venues, such as the in (2023) and INSPIRE Arena in (2024), enhancing spectator immersion and production scale. Beyond competition, Valorant Champions fosters cultural significance through immersive fan experiences, including an in 2025 featuring live performances by artists like and templuv, blending with music to honor professional players and the community. The closing festivities at the Champions Fan Fest incorporated creator meetups and celebratory elements, amplifying the event's role as a global spectacle. Broadcasts reach a worldwide audience via Twitch and in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and others, ensuring broad accessibility and peak viewership moments during the finals.

Host city selection

Riot Games selects host cities for the Valorant Champions tournament and other global events like Masters primarily based on a strong local player base and community enthusiasm, logistical suitability (including venue capacity for large audiences, high-quality internet for broadcasting, and lenient visa requirements for players), and the potential to celebrate local culture while engaging fans worldwide. The goal is to maximize accessibility and impact for players and fans globally.

Format and qualification

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) format and qualification processes have undergone significant evolution to balance accessibility, competitiveness, and stability. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, entry into international events like Masters and Champions primarily occurred through open qualifiers, where any team could participate via regional Challengers bids, fostering broad participation but leading to variability in team quality. In 2023, introduced franchised international leagues, transitioning to a structured points-based system that emphasized consistent performance across the season to ensure fairer qualification and reduce reliance on single-event outcomes. The Points system serves as the core mechanism for tracking team performance and determining advancement to global events. In the initial franchised era (2023–2024), teams earned 1 point per match win in Stage 1 regular seasons and 1.5 points per match win in Stage 2 regular seasons, with additional points from map wins (1 point each) and fixed bonuses for Masters and placements (e.g., 10 points for a Masters win). For 2025, the system was streamlined to award 1 Point per match win during regular seasons in both Stage 1 and Stage 2, alongside bonus points for top-four finishes (e.g., 5 points for first place in Stage 1 , scaling down to 2 for fourth). These points accumulate across stages and international events, with the top two teams per region automatically qualifying for Masters based on Kickoff or Stage 1 results, while qualification provides two direct slots per region to the top two finishers in Stage 2 , with two additional slots per region to the highest cumulative Points earners among remaining teams, for a total of four per region, incorporating Masters performances. Regional league results contribute directly to these points, providing a pathway for sustained excellence to influence global seeding. Qualification for international tournaments operates in tiers to accommodate varying performance levels. Top-seeded teams, typically the top two or three from regional standings, receive direct invites to the main bracket of Masters and Champions events, bypassing initial rounds. Teams ranked 7th through 10th enter play-in stages, competing in Swiss-format matches to advance, which adds competitive depth without overwhelming the main event. The China league employs a separate but equivalent scoring system, awarding parallel Championship Points through its stages and granting four slots to Champions, ensuring parity with the international leagues (Americas, EMEA, Pacific). Specific rules govern match execution and integrity within VCT events. Map pools rotate across each Act, featuring seven competitive selected from Valorant's official roster, with updates announced by to maintain balance and meta evolution. In the Valorant Champions Tour 2026 Kickoff for the Pacific region, map and side selection for best-of-three series matches follow standard VCT procedures: map selection uses a veto process where teams alternate banning maps from the active pool (typically 7-8 maps), then alternate picking the remaining maps for the series, with the higher seed or designated team having priority in the order of picks/bans; the exact order may vary based on seeding or coin flip for fairness. Side selection on each map is determined by a knife round, with the winning team choosing to start as attackers or defenders. Veto processes follow a standardized alternating ban system, promoting strategic depth. Penalties for roster changes, such as mid-season substitutions outside designated windows, include match forfeits or point deductions, enforced to uphold team stability. For 2025, tiebreaker criteria were refined to prioritize head-to-head match records, followed by map win differentials if needed, resolving standings disputes efficiently. Riot Games maintains rigorous anti-collusion measures through direct oversight of all VCT matches and events, including real-time monitoring and post-match reviews to detect irregularities. Violations, such as match-fixing or unauthorized coordination, result in fines starting at $4,000 for minor infractions and escalating to disqualifications or bans for severe cases, as outlined in global policies.

Results

Regional league winners

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) regional leagues serve as the foundational competitions for each territory, where partnered teams compete in structured stages to earn titles, championship points, and qualification for international tournaments. These leagues—Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and —have evolved in format over the years, from multi-stage Challengers in 2021 to consolidated leagues in 2023 and staged events from onward, with winners determined through double-elimination playoffs culminating in best-of-five grand finals. Success in these leagues highlights regional rivalries and talent development, often propelling teams to global contention. In the 2021-2022 era, the leagues established key dynasties. The division saw Sentinels win the 2021 Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs by defeating 3-1 in the grand final, marking an early North American stronghold. The Pacific region, split across sub-regions, saw Bren Esports (SEA) and ZETA DIVISION (JP) as top qualifiers. EMEA's 2021 title went to Acend, who overcame 3-2 in the Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs grand final, showcasing European consistency. China's league, fully integrated in 2022, was won by (EDG), defeating Rare Atom 3-0 to claim their first VCT domestic crown. From 2023 to 2025, competition intensified with format refinements, leading to repeat winners and regional shifts. LOUD captured the 2023 Americas league with a 3-2 upset over in the playoffs. Fnatic dominated EMEA that year, beating 3-1. won the 2023 Pacific title against 3-2, while FPX took China's crown over EDG 3-1. In 2024, Sentinels swept Americas' Kickoff and Stage 1 stages, defeating 3-0 in the latter final; claimed EMEA's Stage 2 over Team Heretics 3-2; repeated in Pacific's Stage 2, edging DRX 3-2; and EDG secured China's Stage 2 with a 3-0 win over FPX. For 2025 Stage 1, won Americas by defeating Sentinels 3-1; Fnatic won EMEA over Team Heretics 3-0; Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) won Pacific over 3-1; and XLG won China over 3-1. Patterns in regional winners reveal notable trends. North American teams have secured approximately 60% of Americas titles since 2021, underscoring organizational investment and player retention in the region. The Pacific division experienced an APAC surge post-2023, with Gen.G winning three consecutive major stages amid rising talent from and . Overall title counts stand at (7), Pacific (5), EMEA (4), and (3), with upsets like LOUD's 2023 Americas victory over established NA squads injecting unpredictability and elevating Latin American representation. These outcomes often foreshadow international paths, as league champions frequently advance to Masters and Champions events.
YearRegionWinnerRunner-upFinal Score
2021AmericasSentinels3–1
2021EMEAAcend3–2
2021Pacific(Split: Bren Esports/ZETA DIVISION)--
2021---
2022NRG3–0
2022EMEA3–1
2022PacificBOOM Esports3–2
2022EDGRare Atom3–0
2023LOUDNRG3–2
2023EMEA3–1
2023Pacific3–2
2023FPXEDG3–1
2024SentinelsNRG3–0
2024EMEATeam Heretics3–2
2024PacificDRX3–2
2024EDGFPX3–0
2025Sentinels3–1
2025EMEATeam Heretics3–0
2025PacificRex Regum Qeon3–1
2025XLG3–1

Global event champions

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) features two tiers of international tournaments: Valorant Masters events, which occur mid-season and invite top teams from regional leagues, and Valorant Champions, the annual world championship crowning the season's overall victor. These global events showcase cross-regional competition, with qualification earned through strong performances in regional stages. Since the VCT's inception in , a total of 13 such tournaments have been held through 2025, highlighting the evolution of team strategies and regional dominance in the professional scene. Valorant Masters events began in 2021 with two tournaments that year, expanding to one per stage in later seasons before returning to multiple in 2024. The inaugural VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters Reykjavík was won by Sentinels from the Americas region, defeating Team Liquid 3-0 in the grand final. Later that year, VCT 2021: Stage 2 Masters Berlin saw Gambit Esports from EMEA claim victory over Team Envy 3-0. In 2022, OpTic Gaming (Americas) won VCT 2022: Stage 1 Masters Reykjavík by beating LOUD 3-0, while Fnatic (EMEA) triumphed at VCT 2022: Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen against Paper Rex 3-2. Fnatic repeated their success at VCT 2023: Stage 1 Masters Tokyo, edging out Evil Geniuses 3-2. The 2024 season featured Sentinels (Americas) winning VCT 2024: Masters Madrid over Gen.G 3-2, followed by Gen.G (Pacific) taking VCT 2024: Masters Shanghai against Paper Rex 3-0. Finally, in 2025, Paper Rex (Pacific) secured their first Masters title at VCT 2025: Masters Toronto, defeating Fnatic 3-1. Valorant Champions, held at the end of each season, determines the world champion among the top 16 teams. The 2021 edition in was dominated by Acend (EMEA), who defeated Sentinels 3-2. LOUD () won the 2022 tournament in , overcoming 3-0 in the final. () claimed the 2023 title in with a 3-0 sweep over . EDward Gaming () made history in 2024 by winning Champions in 3-2 against Team Heretics, marking China's first global VCT title. NRG () closed out the 2025 season in , beating 3-2 to secure the championship. As of the 2025 season, the region leads in global event titles with six (three Masters and three ), followed by EMEA with four (three Masters and one ), Pacific with two Masters wins, and with one victory. This distribution reflects the competitive balance across regions, with teams excelling in high-stakes through aggressive duelist playstyles and EMEA squads dominating mid-range control metas.
TeamTitlesEvents Won
Sentinels (Americas)2Masters 2021, Masters 2024
Fnatic (EMEA)2Masters 2022, Masters 2023
Only two teams have secured multiple global titles through 2025, underscoring the rarity of sustained international excellence in the VCT. Sentinels' wins bookend a period of roster rebuilds, while Fnatic's consecutive Masters victories established them as a benchmark for adaptability. Notable streaks include Fnatic's back-to-back Masters triumphs from to 2023, where they adapted to evolving agent metas like the rise of controllers and sentinels to outpace rivals in grand finals. Sentinels also demonstrated resilience with wins spaced across four years, leveraging veteran leadership to reclaim form in 2024. No team has yet achieved a Masters-Champions double in the same season, though OpTic Gaming's campaign—capped by a Masters win and a strong Champions showing—came close to defining a dominant run before LOUD's upset. These streaks highlight how global events often reward teams with balanced compositions and clutch performance under pressure.

Ascension and promotion successes

The Valorant Champions Tour's Ascension tournaments have provided a pathway for challenger teams to enter the international leagues, with several promoted organizations achieving notable success in their debut or subsequent seasons. In 2023, the inaugural Ascension events saw The Guard win in the Americas, Gentle Mates in EMEA, and Bleed Esports in Pacific, marking the first promotions under the system. These teams faced varying degrees of adaptation challenges, including roster instability and the pressure of competing against established partner organizations, but some demonstrated resilience by qualifying for international events. For instance, Gentle Mates reached the playoffs of VCT EMEA Stage 1 2024, showcasing strong regional performance despite early international struggles. Subsequent years highlighted further successes, particularly through acquisitions and direct promotions. In the Americas, G2 Esports acquired the majority of The Guard's roster and promotion spot following the 2023 Ascension win, entering VCT Americas in 2024 and quickly establishing dominance by winning Stage 1 that year and maintaining top contention into 2025. This case illustrates how promotion slots can enable rapid elevation, with G2 overcoming adaptation hurdles like integrating into a new regional ecosystem to secure international qualification for Masters Shanghai 2024, where they finished in the top 8. Similarly, in Pacific, the 2024 Ascension winner Sin Prisa Gaming adapted to Tier 1 by reaching the playoffs of VCT Pacific Stage 1 2025, demonstrating effective transition from challenger play through focused strategy adjustments. Challenges for these teams often include financial pressures and talent retention, as seen with Bleed Esports' short-lived stint after 2023 promotion, where they struggled with consistency and were relegated after one season. The 2024 promotions continued this trend of upward mobility. Apeks won EMEA Ascension and entered VCT EMEA 2025, achieving a top-6 finish in Stage 1 despite initial adaptation issues related to coaching changes. In , 2GAME Esports' 2024 victory led to a solid debut in 2025, including a playoff appearance in VCT Americas Stage 2. For , which operates under an affiliate promotion system, Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) won Ascension 2024 and excelled in VCT China 2025 by securing a top-2 regional finish and advancing to Champions 2025. These examples underscore the potential for promoted teams to contribute to competitive depth, with approximately half of all Ascension winners from 2023-2024 reaching at least one international event in their first year, based on qualification data from regional leagues. In 2025, the promotion system evolved to allow two teams per major region (, EMEA, Pacific) and one for China, reflecting ' emphasis on sustainability. Team EnVy won Americas Ascension, ULF Esports and BBL PCIFIC secured EMEA spots, SLT Seongnam and RedForce secured Pacific spots, and Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) claimed China's event. While their Tier 1 impacts await the 2026 season, early indicators from post-Ascension scrims suggest strong potential, particularly for DRG, which returns after prior VCT experience. Overall, Ascension has fostered underdog stories, with promoted teams like G2 exemplifying how challenger talent can disrupt the elite tier.
YearRegionPromoted Team(s)Peak Achievement
2023The Guard (spot to )G2: VCT Stage 1 winner (2024); Top 8 Masters (2024)
2023EMEAGentle MatesPlayoffs VCT EMEA Stage 1 (2024)
2023PacificBleed Group Stage VCT Pacific Stage 1 (2024)
20242GAME EsportsPlayoffs VCT Stage 2 (2025)
2024EMEAApeksTop 6 VCT EMEA Stage 1 (2025)
2024PacificSin Prisa GamingPlayoffs VCT Pacific Stage 1 (2025)
2024Xi Lai Gaming (XLG)Top 2 VCT (2025); Champions 2025 qualification
2025(Debut 2026)
2025EMEAULF , BBL PCIFIC(Debut 2026)
2025PacificSLT , RedForce(Debut 2026)
2025Dragon Ranger Gaming(Debut 2026)

Game Changers tournament outcomes

The Game Changers Championship, the premier international event in the initiative, has crowned three champions since its inception in 2022, each highlighting the growing competitive depth among women and marginalized gender teams. In the inaugural 2022 edition held in , , G2 Gozen from the EMEA region defeated Rebellion 3-2 in the grand final to claim the $500,000 prize pool and establish an early benchmark for regional excellence. The 2023 championship shifted to , , where Rebellion (Americas) emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Brazil, securing back-to-back appearances in the finals for North American representation and underscoring the event's role in fostering high-stakes international rivalries. Rebellion repeated their success in 2024, again in , defeating MIBR GC 3-0 to claim their second title and a $500,000 prize, demonstrating sustained dominance by Americas squads. Regional circuits have produced standout performers feeding into these global events, with teams qualifying through split-based leagues that emphasize skill development and inclusivity. For instance, in the 2024 Pacific regional tournament, Xipto Esports claimed victory with a 3-0 grand final sweep over ZETA DIVISION GC, earning a spot at the championship and marking a milestone for Southeast Asian talent. Similarly, Japan's ZETA DIVISION GC won the Game Changers Japan Split 2 in 2024, defeating FENNEL GC 3-2 to secure circuit points and highlight the circuit's expansion across Asia. These regional successes have contributed to a pattern where Americas teams hold two of the three championship titles to date, reflecting strong infrastructure and investment in the region while other areas like EMEA and Pacific continue to build competitive parity. Key diversity milestones within Game Changers include breakthroughs in player mobility and representation. In late 2024, Ava "florescent" Eugene became the first player from the circuit to join a main VCT roster, signing with Apeks for the 2025 VCT EMEA season after her standout performances with teams like Elevate. This crossover paved the way for further integration, as Shopify Rebellion GC qualified as the first team for the Challengers League Stage 1 in January 2025, bridging the gender-diverse initiative with broader professional pathways. The 2025 championship, scheduled for November 20-30 in , , at LoL Park with a $500,000 prize pool and 10 teams, will continue these trends amid the circuit's focus on expanding opportunities for underrepresented genders.
YearChampionRegionLocationPrize Pool
2022G2 GozenEMEA, $500,000
2023 RebellionAmericasSo Paulo, Brazil$500,000
2024 RebellionAmericas, $500,000

Awards and recognition

Most Valuable Player awards

The (MVP) awards in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) recognize individual players who demonstrate exceptional performance and impact across international events such as Masters and Champions, as well as regional leagues. These awards have been presented since the inaugural 2021 season, with recipients selected through a voting process involving the VCT broadcast team, third-party media outlets, and professional teams. Voters evaluate players based on overall tournament impact, including key statistics like average combat score (ACS), kills, performances in critical rounds, and contributions from the group stage through the playoffs. Notable international MVP winners highlight standout individual excellence amid high-stakes competition. For instance, at Valorant Champions 2021 in Berlin, Poland's zeek from Acend earned the honor for his pivotal duelist plays, boasting an ACS of 220 and multiple multi-kill rounds in the grand finals. In 2023's Valorant Champions in Los Angeles, United States' Demon1 from Evil Geniuses was awarded MVP after leading his team to victory with a tournament-high 1.25 K/D ratio and 15 clutch wins. The 2024 edition in Seoul saw China's ZmjjKK from EDward Gaming claim the official Champions MVP, recognized for his aggressive Jett entries and 245 ACS across the event. Most recently, at Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris, United States' brawk from NRG secured the award as a rookie, delivering 1.18 K/D and key multi-kills in the 3-2 grand finals win over Fnatic. At the 2025 Masters Toronto, Indonesia's f0rsakeN from Paper Rex was named MVP for his dominant sentinel role, including a 1.30 K/D and several triple-clutch rounds in the playoffs. Canadian star (Tyson Ngo) from Sentinels holds the distinction of multiple MVP awards, with two to his name: the grand finals MVP at Masters 2021 (1.35 ACS and flawless 3-0 sweep contribution) and the VCT Kickoff 2024, underscoring his consistent fragging and utility impact. Other players like Brazil's aspas from LOUD (Champions 2022 MVP with 230 ACS and finals dominance) have also earned single-event honors, often from the winning team. These awards emphasize not just raw stats but holistic contributions, such as economy management and team enablement. Regional MVP awards are given annually for league stages, focusing on season-long performance within conferences like , EMEA, Pacific, and China. For example, in VCT China 2025, whzy from was named season MVP for his explosive duelist stats, including a 1.28 K/D across stages. In the , players like aspas (2024 season MVP with 235 ACS) exemplify the recognition of sustained excellence leading into international qualification. These honors often highlight emerging talents and role-specific mastery, voted similarly by broadcast and media panels.
EventWinnerTeamStats Highlights
Champions 2021zeekAcend220 ACS, 1.15 K/D, 12 clutches
Champions 2023Demon11.25 K/D, 225 ACS, 15 multi-kills
Champions 2024ZmjjKK245 ACS, 1.20 K/D, finals dominance
Champions 2025brawkNRG1.18 K/D, 210 ACS, rookie impact
Masters Toronto 2025f0rsakeN1.30 K/D, triple clutches, 230 ACS
VCT China 2025 Seasonwhzy1.28 K/D, stage-leading frags

Team and esports honors

In the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), teams have received notable recognition through prestigious awards, highlighting their dominance in international competitions and overall performance. The , a leading industry ceremony, honored LOUD as the Esports Team of the Year in 2022 for their undefeated run through VCT Americas and victory at Masters , where they defeated nine opponents without a single loss. Similarly, was named Esports Organization of the Year in 2022, credited with multiple championship wins across VCT events, including Champions 2022, and innovative content production that elevated the landscape. Organization-level honors extend to partnerships that underscore VCT teams' global impact. has formed multiyear sponsorships with select VCT organizations, such as Sentinels in 2025, providing support and event activations to enhance team performance and fan engagement during tournaments like Red Bull Home Ground. These collaborations also include 's role as the Esports Commercial Partner of the Year at the 2024 Esports Awards, reflecting their contributions to VCT through branded events and athlete endorsements. Broader esports accolades have spotlighted VCT's collective achievements. Valorant secured the Best Esports Game award at , recognizing the tour's high-stakes international events and growing viewership, which peaked at over 1.4 million for key matches. This nomination and win highlighted VCT's role in driving innovation, with teams like benefiting from sponsorship elevations, such as individual players gaining Red Bull athlete status to represent the brand in competitive play. VCT records emphasize team legacies, with holding the distinction for the most international titles among European organizations as of 2025, including wins at São Paulo and Masters in 2023. LOUD set a benchmark with an 18-match win streak across VCT and Champions 2023, showcasing tactical innovation and regional supremacy before their elimination in the playoffs.
YearAwardRecipientReason
2022Esports Team of the YearLOUDUndefeated VCT season and Masters championship.
2022Esports Organization of the YearMultiple VCT titles, including Champions 2022, and high-production content.
2023Best Esports Game (VCT)Exceptional international events and peak viewership growth.
2024Esports Commercial Partner of the Year (VCT partnerships)Support for VCT events and team sponsorships enhancing global reach.
2025Multiyear SponsorshipSentinels (with )Activations for VCT tournaments and athlete program integration.

All-time records

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) has established numerous records across its international events since , reflecting the growing scale of the ecosystem. Tournament milestones highlight the event's expanding global reach, with the 2024 Champions in achieving a peak concurrent viewership of 1.41 million during the grand finals (with 9.13 million unique viewers), surpassing previous benchmarks and underscoring the tournament's appeal in . For live attendance, the 2025 Champions in at the marked a high point with capacity crowds nearing 20,000 spectators over multiple sessions, building on prior events like the 2024 Masters that drew over 10,000 fans per day. Team achievements emphasize consistency and dominance in the competitive landscape. and share the record for the most international event appearances, each with 12 across VCT's global tournaments through 2025, demonstrating their sustained presence in EMEA and Pacific regions respectively. In terms of success, holds the most medals with seven (including two golds), while teams like Sentinels have achieved the highest win rates in key stages, such as their undefeated run at the 2021 Masters . Regional leaders include , which posted a 72% win percentage in Pacific league play during 2024, contributing to their overall stage victories. Player records showcase individual excellence amid high-stakes competition. Derke leads all-time kills at international VCT events with approximately 2,000 through 2025. Erick "aspas" Santos holds the distinction of youngest player to win a VCT Champions title, achieving the feat at age 19 during LOUD's 2022 victory in . These benchmarks are complemented by milestones like aspas's single-match kill record of 47 in a 2024 stage. Regional developments add depth to VCT's narrative, with (EDG) securing 's first global championship in 2024 by defeating Team Heretics 3-2 in the Champions Seoul grand final, a breakthrough that elevated the VCT league's profile. Overall, the tour has distributed more than $45 million in prize money across its events from 2021 to 2025, with the Champions prize pool of $2.25 million USD and supporting ecosystem growth through league and masters distributions.
CategoryRecord HolderValue/Year
Most International Appearances (Team) / 12 each (through 2025)
Highest Win Percentage (Regional Example) (Pacific)72% (2024)
Most Kills (International Events)Derke~2,000 (through 2025)
Youngest Champions Winner (Player)aspas19 years (2022)
Peak Viewership2024 Champions 1.41 million concurrent
Total Prize Money DistributedVCT Overall$45 million+ (2021-2025)

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