VALORANT Challengers SEA Split 1: Teams Finalized and Ready to Start

The VALORANT Challengers SEA Split 1 is set to kick off on January 16, 2025, bringing together 12 of the best teams from Southeast Asia to compete for a share of the $50,000 prize pool and valuable Circuit Points. These points will be crucial for qualifying for the VCT Ascension Pacific 2025.

Teams and Lineup

The tournament features a diverse lineup of teams, including those that received direct invitations and others that advanced through the Promotion/Relegation stage. Here are the teams participating:

Direct Invitations

• FULL SENSE (Thailand)
• KIMMY KITTENS (formerly Disguised, Malaysia/Singapore)
• NAOS Esports (Philippines)
• RRQ Academy (Indonesia)
• Alter Ego (Indonesia)
• ZOL Esports (Philippines)
• Oblivion Force (Hong Kong/Taiwan), replacing the disbanded Made in Thailand
• TALON Academy (Thailand)
• Team Secret Academy (Philippines)

Promotion/Relegation Stage

• Xipto Esports (formerly Unsigned5, Malaysia/Singapore)
• Z11 (Thailand)
• The MongolZ (Mongolia)

Tournament Format

The tournament is divided into two main phases: the Group Stage and the Playoffs.

Group Stage

From January 16 to February 11, the 12 teams will be split into two groups of six, competing in a best-of-three format. The top three teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.

• Group A:
  • FULL SENSE (TH)
  • KIMMY KITTENS (MY/SG)
  • NAOS Esports (PH)
  • RRQ Academy (ID)
  • The MongolZ (MN)
  • Xipto Esports (MY/SG)
• Group B:
  • Oblivion Force (HK/TW)
  • Alter Ego (ID)
  • ZOL Esports (PH)
  • TALON Academy (TH)
  • Team Secret Academy (PH)
  • Z11 (TH)

Playoffs

The playoffs will run from February 12 to 16. Here’s how it will work:

• The winners of each group will advance directly to the Upper Bracket Semifinals.
• The second and third-place teams from each group will compete in the Knockout Round.
• The first two teams to lose in the Knockout Round will be eliminated.
• The winners will move on to face the top seed from the Group Stage in a double-elimination bracket.

Recent Team Changes

Several teams have undergone significant changes since the last season:

• Disguised has pulled out of the VALORANT scene and is now competing as KIMMY KITTENS without organizational backing.
• Made in Thailand has disbanded, with its core roster joining FULL SENSE. Their spot is now taken by Oblivion Force from the Hong Kong/Taiwan region.
• NAOS Esports has revamped its roster, adding former FULL SENSE player Kititkawin “PTC” Rattanasukol, former RNT player Sultan “sultan” Akbay, and former ZOL player Patrick “PatMen” Mendoza.
• Alter Ego, fresh from their victory in the 2025 APAC Predator League, has kept its core roster intact and re-signed former player Adrian “adrnking” Setiawan. They have also added Willy “sayoo” Ivandra, who previously played for Grayfox Esports and Velocity Gaming.

Academy Teams Participation

Three academy teams from VCT Pacific organizations are participating:

• RRQ Academy, led by the rising star Moses “Splash” Jonathan.
• TALON Academy, headed by the young talent Thanachart “Surf” Rungapajaratkul.
• Team Secret Academy, with former player Noel “NDG” De Guia at the helm.

Circuit Points and Prize Pool

In addition to the $50,000 prize pool, teams are competing for Circuit Points that will contribute to their qualification for VCT Ascension Pacific 2025. The points are weighted more heavily towards recent placements, meaning higher points will be earned in Split 3.

Live Streaming

Live streams for all languages (excluding Vietnamese) will be exclusive to SOOP platforms. Here are the streaming options:

• English
• Thai
• Bahasa Indonesia
• Mandarin

For Vietnamese, the stream will be available on ON Live.

Conclusion

The VALORANT Challengers SEA Split 1 promises to be an exciting and competitive event, with top teams from Southeast Asia vying for both financial rewards and the chance to advance to higher tiers of competition. The tournament’s format ensures that only the best teams will emerge, making it a must-watch for VALORANT fans in the region. With the recent team changes and the inclusion of academy teams, this split is set to be one of the most dynamic and unpredictable yet.