With the gaming community on the edge of their seats waiting for the transition to Valorant Episode 9 Act 3, players are well aware of the time running out on the current competitive queue. While Episode 9 Act 2 is just another routine update, it’s actually a huge change in the competitive landscape of Valorant, a game that has millions of players worldwide. In this article we look at the specifics of when the competitive queue will close in different regions and how players should be prepared for the upcoming changes.
Competitive Queue Closure Regional Timings
Valorant Episode 9 Act 2 competitive queue will end on October 23 and 24, 2024, at the exact time depending on region. This staggered closure is intended to allow the global player base to make the transition to the next act without issue.
Americas: The Americas will see the earliest closure, with the competitive queue shutting down on October 23. Specifically, the US West region will see the queue close at 4:The US East will follow at 7:30 am EDT, and 30 am PDT. In Brazil, the queue will end at 8:30 am UTC-3.
Europe and Asia: The competitive queue for players in the UK will close at 2:30 am BST on October 24. In broader Europe, including cities like Paris and Berlin, the closure will occur at 3:30 am CEST. Meanwhile, in India, the queue will end at 1 am IST, and in China, it is tentatively set for 3:30 am CST. Korea and Japan will see the queue close at 4:30 am KST/JST.
Transition to Episode 9 Act 3
After the competitive queue closes, players will continue to have access to other game modes, including Spike Rush and Swiftplay for about 1.5 hours. It’s this brief window that allows players to keep playing the game while the competitive mode is down for maintenance. The servers will then undergo maintenance, a step necessary to smoothly update to Episode 9 Act 3.
Checking Your Region’s Specific Timing
Valorant offers an in-game feature for players whose regions aren’t explicitly mentioned, to check the exact timing of the competitive queue closure. By navigating to the “Career” option on the home screen or the medal icon next to the “Play” button, players can select the “Act Rank” tab to find the relevant information.
With time running out on Episode 9 Act 2, players are being urged to make the most of their time left in the current competitive environment. With Episode 9 Act 3 just around the corner, it’s a critical moment for the Valorant community as it transitions to Episode 9 Act 3, promising new challenges and opportunities.
