The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is up for a transformation in 2025, introducing enlargement and structural changes to enhance the competitive scene. Riot Games revealed a comprehensive plan whose capabilities expand towards player and fan experiences, marking a new era for Valorant esports.
VCT Begins with Enhanced Regional Leagues commencing January 2025 for its newly expanded regions in EMEA, Pacific, China, and the Americas, each comprising 12 teams. It extends to give a greater opportunity for emerging talents and teams already established in an increasingly inclusive yet competitive venue. The length of the season runs from January to October; thus a very intense schedule will be given to the participants and audiences.
The year will open into seasons launched by regional Kickoff events that have the following dates:
January 11: VCT China
January 15: VCT EMEA
January 16: VCT Americas
January 18: VCT Pacific
It will run with only 12 teams in double elimination into the second round where the top four teams of the preceding phase in 2024 get used to byes. The top two teams in each region will qualify for and attend the very first international event Los Angeles has to offer for the year, Masters Bangkok.
Masters Bangkok is taking place from February 20 to March 2 and is hosting an eight-team Swiss stage before four teams advance to the playoffs for double-elimination. Masters Bangkok would kick off interregional competition early in the season. It will reoccur with Masters Toronto which will take place from June 7 to June 22, with the top three teams of the Stage 1 Playoffs, bringing the tournament to a total of 12 teams. The format also features an eight-team Swiss stage with number-one seeds from every international league receiving a bye, culminating in an eight-team double-elimination playoff.
The finale of the 2025 VCT season, Champions Paris, will take place from September 12 to October 5. Prestigious teams from Stage 2, Championship Points leaders, and significant assailants from global events enter this event. The tournament structure offers a group stage with four groups of four teams each, with the subsequent playoff acting through double elimination for eight teams, thereby deciding the world champion.
To introduce a layer of strategy to the competition, Riot Games decided to completely reform the Championship Points structure. Points will now be awarded at all stages and global events and hence affect the qualification and seeding into the next tournament. In turn, this means that two teams will secure their places at Champions Paris via Stage 2 Playoffs, while another two will qualify depending on the total Championship Points throughout the entire season.
In short, the 2025 VCT season promises to give an enriched and vibrant competitive experience. With league expansion, a systematically organized calendar, and refined points systems, Valorant Esports will reach new heights and become more attractive to audiences worldwide.
The season starts in January 2025 and ends in October 2025.
Each regional league will host 12 teams.
These will be Masters Bangkok in February, Masters Toronto in June, and Champions Paris in the September-October time frame.
Points are awarded to teams at each stage and global event regarding the qualification for major tournaments such as Champions Paris.
Champions Paris will have some group stages composed of 4 groups with 4 teams each and an 8-team double-elimination playoff.
