Valorant VCT 2025: Expanded Season, New Locations, and Exciting Updates

Riot Games has revealed the roadmap for Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) 2025, featuring expanded leagues, new teams, and significant format changes. With global events in exciting new locations and a revamped competitive structure, here’s everything you need to know.

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Expanded International Leagues and New Teams

The 2025 season introduces a 12-team format across all international leagues: EMEA, Pacific, CN, and Americas, up from 11 teams last year. Here are the new additions:

• EMEA: Apeks
• Pacific: BOOM Esports and Nongshim RedForce
• CN: XLG Esports
• Americas: 2GAME Esports

Context on Team Changes

• Nongshim RedForce: Ascension Pacific winners Sin Prisa Gaming will now compete under the Nongshim RedForce banner.
• BOOM Esports: Ascension Pacific runners-up BOOM Esports take the spot vacated by Bleed Esports, who were removed for non-compliance with Riot Games’ Team Participation Agreement and other requirements.

These updates reflect Riot’s commitment to fostering a competitive and compliant ecosystem.

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Season Kickoff and Regular Season Details

The VCT 2025 season starts earlier than in 2024, with the Kickoff tournaments beginning in January:

• January 11: VCT CN
• January 15: VCT EMEA
• January 16: VCT Americas
• January 18: VCT Pacific

Kickoff Tournament Format

The 12-team double-elimination tournament grants a bye to the top four teams from 2024 Champions Seoul for Round 2. The top two teams from each tournament will qualify for VALORANT Masters Bangkok in February.

Regular Season Structure

Stage 1:

• Dates: March 22 to April 25
• Format: Two groups of six teams compete, followed by the Mid-Season Playoffs (March 3–16) to determine the top three teams advancing to VALORANT Masters Toronto.

Stage 2:

• Dates: July 12 to August 15
• Format: Similar group stage as Stage 1, but with shuffled groups for balanced matchups. The Season Playoffs (August 16–29) will determine which teams advance to global events.

Key Updates for 2025

• Expanded Playoffs: Both stages now feature eight playoff teams instead of six.
• Longer Breaks: Built-in rest periods ensure teams are not overburdened by back-to-back events.
• Points Reset: Records from Stage 1 do not carry over, providing teams a fresh start in Stage 2.

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Global Events for 2025

VALORANT Masters Bangkok (February 20 – March 2)

The first international event hosted in Southeast Asia features:

• Swiss Format: Eight teams will compete, with the top four advancing to a double-elimination playoff.

VALORANT Masters Toronto (June 7 – 22)

Returning to the Americas, this event will host:

• Top Teams: Three qualifiers from each league’s Stage 1 playoffs.
• Format: Swiss stage, followed by an eight-team double-elimination playoff.

VALORANT Champions Paris (September 12 – October 5)

The 2025 season concludes with the year’s most prestigious event:

• Group Stage: Four groups of four teams.
• Playoffs: An eight-team double-elimination format.

This year, only two teams will qualify from Stage 2 Playoffs, while the remaining two slots will be awarded based on Championship Points earned throughout the season.

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Championship Points and Qualification System

Riot has revamped the Championship Points system to reward consistent performance across the season:

• Points Distribution: Events closer to VALORANT Champions Paris, such as Stage 2 Playoffs, will award more points than earlier events like Masters Bangkok.
• Qualification Changes:
  • Two teams qualify from Stage 2 Playoffs.
  • Two teams qualify based on Championship Points, rewarding strong performances from the start of the season.

Riot’s Vision

“Championship Points will be distributed across every stage and competition, ensuring all parts of the season carry high stakes. With deeper points distribution at Masters and Playoffs, along with self-contained stages, every team has a chance to make it to Champions.”

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Key Dates for VCT 2025

• January 11-18: Kickoff Tournaments across all leagues.
• March 22 – April 25: Stage 1 Regular Season.
• March 3-16: Mid-Season Playoffs.
• June 7-22: Masters Toronto.
• July 12 – August 29: Stage 2 Regular Season and Playoffs.
• September 12 – October 5: Champions Paris.

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What to Expect in 2025

With expanded leagues, new teams, and refined competition formats, VCT 2025 promises to be the most exciting season yet. From its global reach to the integration of new gameplay systems, Riot continues to push the boundaries of esports.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Valorant VCT 2025