The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) 2025 is here, and it’s bigger and better than ever! Riot Games has announced a packed schedule, new formats, and exciting changes for this year’s tournament. The season started on January 11, 2025, and will run until October 5, 2025, with teams from around the world competing for glory. Here’s everything you need to know about the VCT 2025.
What’s New in VCT 2025?
This year, Riot Games has made some big changes to make the competition more exciting. Each regional league now has 12 teams, including 10 partner teams and 2 teams from the Ascension tournaments. The leagues are divided into four regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), Pacific, and China. Each region will host its own Kickoff event, followed by two stages of International Leagues and global tournaments like Masters and Champions.
The season has been extended to reduce stress on players and give fans more action. Teams will play at least 12 matches, but those who perform well can play up to 23 matches. This means more thrilling games for fans to enjoy.
Kickoff Events
The VCT 2025 season began with Kickoff tournaments in each region. These events took place between January 11 and February 9, 2025. The top two teams from each Kickoff event qualified for the first global tournament, Masters Bangkok. The Kickoff events used a double-elimination format, with the top four teams from last year getting a bye in the first round.
For example, in the China Kickoff, EDward Gaming (EDG) won the tournament and secured their spot in Masters Bangkok. Other regions like EMEA, Americas, and Pacific also saw intense competition as teams fought for their place in the next stage.
Masters Tournaments
There will be two Masters tournaments in 2025. The first one, Masters Bangkok, will take place from February 20 to March 2, 2025. It will feature eight teams, with two from each region. The tournament will start with a Swiss stage, followed by a double-elimination playoff bracket. The prize pool for Masters Bangkok is $500,000, with the winner taking home $250,000.
The second Masters event, Masters Toronto, is scheduled for June 7 to June 22, 2025. This tournament will include 12 teams, with three from each region. The format is similar to Masters Bangkok, but with more teams and higher stakes. The prize pool for Masters Toronto is $1 million, making it one of the most lucrative events of the season.
International Leagues
After the Kickoff events, the season moves into the International Leagues. These are divided into two stages: Stage 1 and Stage 2. Stage 1 runs from March to May, while Stage 2 takes place from July to August. Each stage has a group stage and playoffs. The top teams from Stage 1 qualify for Masters Toronto, while the top teams from Stage 2 earn a spot in the Valorant Champions 2025.
Valorant Champions 2025
The biggest event of the year, Valorant Champions 2025, will be held in Paris, France, from September 12 to October 5, 2025. Sixteen teams will compete for the title of world champion and a share of the $2.25 million prize pool. The tournament will start with a group stage, followed by a double-elimination playoff bracket. The winner will take home $1 million.
New Agent: Tejo
This season also introduced a new agent, Tejo, who has already made an impact in the tournaments. Teams in EMEA, Americas, and Pacific started using Tejo from the beginning, while China allowed the agent from the second week. NAVI from EMEA was the first team to use Tejo in a match, but EDward Gaming showed how powerful the agent can be with a dominant performance.
The VCT 2025 season promises to be the most exciting yet, with new formats, bigger prize pools, and more teams. Fans can look forward to thrilling matches, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable moments. Make sure to follow the official Valorant Esports channels for updates and live coverage of the tournaments.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of an action-packed year for Valorant esports!
