The 2023 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is still currently underway in Los Angeles with only 4 teams remaining: LOUD, FNATIC, Evil Geniuses, and Paper Rex. Valorant esports continues to grow and improve each year. So much to the point that plans for Valorant Champions Tour 2024 have already been unveiled. Here’s what you need to know.
In its 4th year of operation, the VCT will be introducing a series of new changes in both season design and scope. Next year will have a new international league, the emergence of global events in previously untapped locations, and the expansion of developmental circuits to year-round competition.
What is the Valorant Champions Tour?
VALORANT is the highly competitive, 5v5 character-based tactical shooter attracting millions of players around the world. To foster and support global competition, Riot Games operates the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), a year-long, global circuit composed of leagues and global events spanning EMEA, Asia, and the Americas.
Teams compete through four international leagues and global Masters events with the goal of qualifying for Champions, a two-week long tournament where a single team is crowned the VALORANT Global Champion.
Starting VCT 2024 with a bang
For those who can’t get enough of Valorant esports, get excited. Kicking off the 2024 season, each International League will be hosting a 2-week tournament in order to narrow down the 8 teams that will be competing in the first global event.
For the very first time, the global esports stage will shine its spotlight on Spain as Masters Madrid becomes the inaugural VCT tournament for 2024. This significant milestone promises not only thrilling matches but also sets the stage for a year of intense esports action. As the anticipation builds, the question on everyone’s minds is which team will rise to the occasion. All eyes are on Madrid as the stage is set for an electrifying showdown that will set the tone for the entire year.
In search of new champions
In the upcoming year, VCT will see further evolution within the Challengers scene, the nurturing ground for aspiring champions. The Challengers calendar is expanding, now operating throughout the year to offer more competitions in Tier 2. A pioneering team affiliation and player loan system is also set to debut, allowing for increased player movement between International Leagues, Challengers, and Game Changers.
What’s more, a new feature known as Premier mode takes the spotlight, forming the bedrock of Valorant’s journey to the professional arena. This addition lets players step directly into the VCT action from within the game, marking an accessible entry point for those looking to join the ranks of pro players.
Additionally, the top tier of Valorant esports is set to grow even bigger. With the Ascensions event drawing to a close, three teams stood out, securing the opportunity to join the International Leagues for the upcoming 2024 season. The teams—The Guard, Gentle Mates, and Bleed Esports—triumphed through a year of fierce rivalry, earning themselves a well-deserved two-year promotion into the international leagues.
A fresh season format takes center stage with the arrival of Champions Points. These will serve as the common thread tying together International Leagues and Global Tournaments. They’ll act as a gauge of every team’s performance and determine which teams qualify for the global events.
Expanding competition
Speaking of significant expansions, China will be joining the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific as the fourth official league in VCT. This is just one more step in Valorant’s vision to position itself as the biggest global esport we’ve ever seen.
The second Masters event of the 2024 VCT season will be hosted in Shanghai where 12 teams will battle for Championship Points and Champions qualification.
For additional information on the 2024 VCT Season, Challenger Leagues, and VALORANT – go to VALORANTEsports.com.