Valorant Champions Tour 2025: The Ultimate Guide

The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) 2025 is set to be the most exciting season yet for competitive Valorant. With an expanded calendar, new teams, and fresh formats, this year promises intense action for fans and players alike. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the VCT 2025.

Season Overview

The 2025 season kicks off earlier than ever, starting in January and concluding in early October. This extended calendar addresses previous issues of tight turnarounds between competitions and gives teams more opportunities to showcase their skills throughout the year.

Key Dates

• VCT CN Kickoff: January 11
• VCT EMEA Kickoff: January 15
• VCT Americas Kickoff: January 16
• VCT Pacific Kickoff: January 18
• Valorant Masters Bangkok: February 20 – March 2
• Valorant Masters Toronto: June 7 – 22
• Valorant Champions Paris: September 12 – October 5

International League Structure

Each international league (EMEA, Pacific, CN, and Americas) now features 12 teams, up from 11 in the previous year. This expansion allows for more competitive matches and improved tournament formats.

New Teams

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

Tournament Formats

Kickoff Tournaments

The season begins with Kickoff tournaments in each region. These feature a 12-team double-elimination bracket, with the top four teams from the previous year receiving a bye to the second round. The top two teams from each Kickoff tournament qualify for Valorant Masters Bangkok.

Regular Season

The regular season is divided into two stages:

1. Stage 1 (March 22 – April 25):
   • Two groups of six teams
   • Mid-Season playoffs (March 3-16)
   • Top three teams advance to Valorant Masters Toronto
2. Stage 2 (July 12 – August 15):
   • Similar group format
   • Season Playoffs (August 16-29)
   • Records do not carry over from Stage 1

Valorant Champions 2025

The pinnacle of the VCT season, Valorant Champions 2025, will take place in Paris, France, from September 12 to October 5. This prestigious event will feature 16 teams, four from each region, competing for the title of world champion.

Prize Pool

Valorant Champions 2025 boasts an impressive prize pool of $2,250,000, distributed as follows:

• 1st Place: $1,000,000
• 2nd Place: $400,000
• 3rd Place: $250,000
• 4th Place: $130,000
• 5th-6th Place: $85,000 each
• 7th-8th Place: $50,000 each
• 9th-12th Place: $30,000 each
• 13th-16th Place: $20,000 each

Path to Pro

For aspiring professional players, the road to the VCT starts with the Challenger Leagues. These regional competitions serve as a proving ground for talented teams looking to make their mark in the Valorant esports scene.

Challenger Leagues

Challenger Leagues take place in various regions worldwide, offering local teams the chance to compete at a high level. Top performers in these leagues can qualify for the Ascension tournaments.

Ascension

Ascension tournaments are the gateway to the international leagues. Winners of these events earn a spot in their respective regional VCT league for the following year, as demonstrated by 2GAME Esports’ promotion to the VCT Americas league for 2025.

Impact of Changes

The expanded calendar and revised format for VCT 2025 address several key issues from previous seasons:

1. More competitive opportunities: Teams have more chances to prove themselves throughout the year.
2. Reduced burnout: The extended schedule allows for better pacing and recovery time between events.
3. Improved regional representation: With 12 teams per league, there’s greater diversity in playstyles and strategies.
4. Enhanced viewer experience: More matches and a longer season provide fans with more content to enjoy.

Conclusion

The Valorant Champions Tour 2025 is shaping up to be the most comprehensive and exciting season yet. With its expanded format, new teams, and high-stakes competitions, VCT 2025 promises to deliver thrilling esports action for fans around the globe. Whether you’re a die-hard Valorant enthusiast or new to the competitive scene, this season offers something for everyone. Get ready for an unforgettable year of tactical shooter excellence as the world’s best teams battle for supremacy in the ever-evolving world of Valorant esports.