VCT 2025: All About The Qualification And Key Events!

Valorant starts off the 2025 season with a bang, bringing exciting new content to the game. Alongside the enticing EX.O skin set and the new agent Tejo, Riot Games has much more in store for players and fans alike.

In 2025, Valorant will once again host a range of esports tournaments, events, and livestreams from pro players and influencers that will captivate the growing community.

For the 2025 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), Riot Games is expanding the competition calendar and introducing new locations to the mix.

Here’s everything you need to know about the most exciting Valorant events of the year:

Valorant’s Esports Scene Continues To Grow

2024 was already an extraordinary year for Valorant, the community, and especially the pro scene.

Riot Games saw a significant increase in viewership for the VCT leagues, with some events experiencing over 50% more viewers. The record was set during a VCT tournament in China, which peaked at 1.88 million concurrent viewers.

In addition, Sentinels’ legendary player TenZ announced his retirement from professional play, EDward Gaming made history as the first Chinese team to secure an international VCT victory, and Shopify Rebellion dominated the Game Changers Championship once again.

With new locations like Bangkok, Toronto, and Paris, the 2025 season promises to be just as thrilling, if not more.

2025, c'est notre annee Les Champions 2025 arrive a Paris pic.twitter.com/YvINc77VeA

— VALORANT France (@VALORANTfr) January 12, 2025

The 2025 Valorant Champions Tour

The VCT 2025 is all about the journey to the prestigious finale in Paris, which will take place on October 5, 2025.

However, the road to the top 16 teams who will compete in Paris won’t be an easy one.

Although the competition calendar has been extended, allowing teams more time between events, teams will have to play between 12 and 23 matches, leading to more games than the previous year.

But before we get to the question of who will win in Paris, here’s how the VCT 2025 system works:

Teams must first qualify through regional esports competitions held throughout the year to reach the final championship tournament in Paris.

In the VCT’s international leagues, Pacific, Americas, EMEA, and China, 12 teams will face off against each other, vying for top spots to compete in Masters tournaments, gather Championship Points (CP), and ultimately qualify for the grand finale.

To make it into the international leagues, pro teams must first prove themselves in their respective regional leagues.

But there are also other ways to get to Paris.

In addition to the international leagues, there are the Kickoff tournaments and the Masters series, with the Kickoffs being part of the international leagues.

VCT 2025 International Calendar Masters Bangkok - February 20 - March 2 Masters Toronto - June 7 - June 22 Champions Paris - September 12 - October 5 pic.twitter.com/mlK8Zwe0b0

— Valorant News (@ValorINTEL) November 26, 2024

Kickoff Tournaments

The Kickoff tournaments will kick off the season and give teams a chance to earn points early on. The top teams from each region will compete for valuable Championship Points, which can be crucial for qualifying for the final.

Masters Tournaments

The Masters are key competitions that run throughout the season. 'These prestigious events provide the best teams with a stage to compete while offering the opportunity to secure high CP and prize money.

Depending on their placement in the Masters, teams can accumulate significant points, often the key to advancing to the Champions event in Paris.

All Events and Dates

• Kickoffs: January 11 – February 9 across all VCT regions (Americas, Pacific, EMEA, CN) / The top 2 from each region qualify for Masters Bangkok

• Masters Bangkok: February 20 – March 2 / Qualification through regional leagues or Kickoff tournaments / 12 teams / No direct qualification for Champions through victory, but offers the highest Championship Points and prize money

• Internationale Liga, Stage 1: April 17 – May 16 across all VCT regions (Americas, Pacific, EMEA, CN) / Qualification through regional leagues / Top 3 from each league qualify for Masters Toronto

• Masters Toronto: June 7 – June 22 / Qualification through international league / Opportunity for high CP and prize money

• Internationale Liga, Stage 2: August 9 – August 31 / Last chance to qualify for the Champions Finals in Paris / The top 2 from each league and the 2 teams with the most CP (not already qualified) will secure spots in the coveted top 16 for Paris

• Champions: September 12 – October 5 / The final battle for the ultimate Valorant esports world title

Tournaments Beyond The Champion Title

For those who may grow tired of the overwhelming esports calendar, there are three other exciting tournament formats to keep an eye on: Challengers, Ascension, and Game Changers.

The Challengers tournament serves as an entry point for rising teams that didn’t qualify for the major leagues. The best teams in Challengers can earn the chance to qualify for higher-level tournaments or regional leagues.

Ascension is another major event where the top teams from the Challengers tournaments fight for a spot in the regional leagues.

i am so excited for vct 2025. like i may be sick in bed but what is keeping my spirits up is seeing my favorite thing in the world back in actioni love valorant esports so much pic.twitter.com/Wi0PMbbaHm

— Elisabeth Marchini (@ejmarchini) January 9, 2025

Finally, Game Changers provides a platform for female and non-binary players to compete and make their mark in the professional Valorant scene.

The VCT 2025 promises to be an exciting year. The competition calendar is packed, the tournament system is well-structured, and there are numerous opportunities for teams to establish themselves in the Valorant esports scene.

Which team will win the Valorant Champions Tour title? Who are you backing this year? Let us know in the comments!