Valorant is a 5v5 game that blends the precise gunplay of Counter-Strike with unique agent abilities. In just a few years, Valorant has evolved into a rapidly growing global esport, complete with a structured pro circuit and massive international events. Valorant tournaments now pack arenas and draw huge online audiences. The 2023 world championship finals nearly hit one million concurrent viewers on Twitch alone!
In this guide, NXTbets will break down everything you need to know about Valorant tournaments. From the official Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) format and major events, to top teams, star players, betting angles for esports bettors, and how to watch the action live.
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of Valorant esports and learn how to follow Valorant tournaments like a pro!
Valorant’s competitive scene is built around the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). This is the official global tournament circuit run by Riot Games. The VCT is a tiered system of events that teams battle through every year. Here is how it works:
The VCT – Valorant Champions Tour Structure
The VCT series has three levels of competition: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Teams start in regional Challengers events (the qualifying stage), advance to international Masters tournaments (mid-year majors), and ultimately aim to reach Valorant Champions (the year-end world championship). The latter is the pinnacle of the sport.
Challengers: These are regional tournaments where teams compete within their territory (North America, Europe, Asia, etc.). In the early VCT years, there were multiple Challenger events per region, acting as qualifiers. Starting in 2023, Riot introduced franchised leagues in three main regions (Americas, EMEA, Pacific) that essentially replaced the old open Challenger format. Non-franchised teams still play through Challengers leagues and qualifiers for a shot at promotion.
Masters: These consist of international events that bring together the top teams from each region. Initially, there were two Masters events each year. Since 2023, the schedule has shifted, but the Masters remain major mid-season tournaments featuring the best squads globally. Teams qualify for the Masters based on their placement in regional leagues.
Champions: This is the grand finale to the VCT season. Valorant Champions is the annual world championship tournament, where the top 16 teams in the world compete for the title of Valorant world champion. Teams qualify through cumulative performance (circuit points or winning major events) and last-chance qualifiers.
International Leagues (Americas, EMEA, Pacific)
In 2023, Valorant esports adopted a partnership (franchise) model with three International Leagues: VCT Americas, VCT EMEA, and VCT Pacific. Each league features ten partner teams that are the best from their region. These teams play a season of matches to determine regional champions.
The leagues act as the top-tier domestic competition and feed into the global Masters and Champions events. For example, a team that wins VCT Americas will earn a spot at Masters and Champions.
Americas League: Combines North America, Latin America, and Brazil. Key teams include LOUD (the Brazilian powerhouse and 2022 world champions), NA orgs like NRG and Sentinels, and others.
EMEA League: Covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Features top teams like Fnatic (a dominant European squad with multiple international trophies), NAVI (Natus Vincere, featuring former world champions), and Team Liquid.
Pacific League: Encompasses Asia-Pacific regions (Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania). Notable teams are DRX (South Korea’s consistent top contender), Paper Rex (a wildly aggressive team from SEA known for creative strategies), and ZETA DIVISION (Japan’s fan-favorite team).
Game Changers Series – Valorant’s Inclusive Circuit
Beyond the main VCT, Riot also operates Valorant Game Changers. This is an official tournament series for women and marginalized genders. Game Changers runs regional competitions that give women players a platform to compete at a high level and showcase their talent. The best teams from regional Game Changers events qualify for the Game Changers Championship, which is essentially a world championship for women’s Valorant teams.
This initiative has been a big step for inclusivity in esports. Game Changers tournaments have grown steadily, with increasing prize pools and viewership. Teams like G2 Gozen (Europe) and Shopify Rebellion GC (North America) have made names for themselves by winning international Game Changers titles.
Third-Party Events & Invitationals
While Riot’s official circuit is the main course, third-party Valorant tournaments also spice up the scene – especially in the off-season. Community-organized or sponsor-hosted events provide additional competition and fun formats that sometimes differ from standard VCT play. Notable ones include:
Red Bull Home Ground: This is a popular invitational series by Red Bull, known for its unique format. In Home Ground events, each team picks a “home map,” and if a team wins on both their own and the opponent’s home maps, they clinch the Bo5 series early (effectively a 2-0 win).
Ludwig x Tarik Invitational: It is hosted by streamer personalities Ludwig Ahgren and former pro Tarik (who is a huge Valorant community figure). This invitational brings together all-star lineups and popular teams in a more relaxed, entertainment-focused competition.
Other Events: There are many others, like the VCT LOCK//IN (one-time 30-team kickoff event in 2023), Gamer’s Galaxy tournaments, charity events, and regional invitationals (Spike Nations for EMEA). While not part of official VCT points, they contribute to Valorant’s esports ecosystem by giving teams more practice and fans more content in the off-season.
How to Watch Valorant Tournaments Live
One great thing about Valorant esports is how accessible it is to watch. Here are the main ways to follow the action:
Official Riot Streams
Riot Games streams all major Valorant tournaments live on official channels, primarily Twitch and YouTube. You can tune into the Valorant Twitch channel or the VALORANT Esports YouTube channel during events to catch matches with professional commentary and production. The broadcasts feature multiple language streams as well, hence catering to a global audience (English, Spanish, Korean, etc.), so you can watch in your preferred language.
Co-streams and Community Watch Parties
In addition to Riot’s official streams, the Valorant community has a vibrant co-streaming culture. Influential streamers, content creators, and even former pro players often host watch parties for big matches. For example, popular streamer and ex-pro Tarik regularly co-streams VCT matches on his Twitch channel, adding his own commentary and analysis on top of the official broadcast. These co-streams can attract huge viewership (Tarik’s watch parties have hit 100k+ concurrent viewers) and provide a more casual, communal viewing experience.
In-Game Rewards for Viewers
Riot loves to reward viewers of Valorant esports with in-game drops and goodies. If you link your Valorant (Riot) account to Twitch or YouTube, you can earn exclusive cosmetic items by watching official tournament streams during special events. For instance, during Valorant Champions 2023, viewers could earn a limited-edition player card, title, and spray by watching matches on certain days. Game Changers Championship streams, Masters, and other major events often have similar watch rewards.
Top Teams and Players to Follow in Valorant Tournaments
Valorant has a diverse field of teams across multiple regions. A handful have risen to be the elite, and certain star players have made names for themselves with jaw-dropping performances:
Best Teams by Region
Americas
The Americas region boasts powerhouse teams like LOUD, NRG, and Sentinels. Brazilian squad LOUD have been dominant – they won the 2022 world championship and are known for their explosive play and passionate fanbase.
NRG (previously the core of NA’s OpTic Gaming) consistently ranks among the top NA teams, with strong tactical play and LAN experience.
Sentinels, while having ups and downs recently, are still a legendary name. They were the first international champions (Masters 2021) and have immense popularity thanks to star players and a 2021 undefeated run.
Matchups between NA and Brazilian teams in the Americas (like Sentinels vs LOUD) are must-watch clashes of styles and bragging rights.
EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa)
Europe has several top teams, notably Fnatic, NAVI, and Team Liquid. Fnatic (UK-based) has been the team to beat in EMEA. They consistently top the region and have two Masters titles under their belt.
NAVI (CIS/Ukraine-based, formerly Gambit’s roster) is another top contender, known for its strategic depth and clutch factor. They won Masters Berlin 2021 as Gambit and continue to be dangerous.
Team Liquid has had strong showings too by blending experienced talent and firepower (they won the EMEA league in early 2023).
Pacific (Asia-Pacific)
Leading the Pacific pack are DRX, Paper Rex (PRX), and ZETA DIVISION.
DRX (South Korea) is famous for its consistency. They often finish in the top 4 at international events, and won a major trophy in 2024. DRX plays a very methodical and coordinated style.
Paper Rex from Singapore, by contrast, is beloved for their hyper-aggressive strategies and creativity. PRX’s run to the 2023 Champions finals put APAC on the map.
ZETA DIVISION (Japan) captured hearts with a surprise semifinal run in 2022. They embody the rise of Japan’s scene and have a loyal following.
Star Players & Playmakers
Valorant’s top teams are backed by individual stars who can turn the tide of a round with sheer skill. Here are a few superstar players you should know:
TenZ (Tyson Ngo) – TenZ is known for his godlike aim and flashy plays on agents like Jett. He led Sentinels to the Masters Reykjavik 2021 championship and became a fan-favorite for his highlight reels.
Derke (Nikita Sirmitev) – Derke is one of the world’s deadliest duelists. He frequently tops the scoreboard with his Jett and Raze. Derke’s performance was pivotal in Fnatic’s Masters wins – for example, he was MVP of Masters Copenhagen 2022.
Aspas (Erick Santos) – Aspas is often cited as one of the best players from Brazil. He was instrumental in LOUD’s 2022 world championship victory by cracking open rounds with his confident peeks and razor-sharp aim.
Jinggg (Wang Jing Jie) – Jinggg is known for his fearless style. He’ll push through smokes, double satchel in with Raze, or sprint at you with Neon. More often than not, he wins those fights. Jinggg’s aggressive plays were central to PRX’s success.
These are just a few names – there are many other incredible talents (shoutout to players like Yay, ScreaM, MaKo, Buzz, Crashies, BoasteR, and the list goes on).
Roster Movements & Transfers
Valorant esports moves fast, and team rosters can change significantly from season to season. In the off-season, a period dubbed “roster mania”, teams often shuffle players, sign rising stars, or form new super-teams. Keeping up with these transfers is crucial for predicting how a team might perform in upcoming tournaments.
Such moves mean fans and bettors should reset their expectations each season. A team that dominated last year might falter if key players leave. An underperforming team could become a contender after signing a top player or an in-game leader who brings better coordination.
Always read the news between tournament seasons. You can follow Valorant esports news sites or NXTbets’ esports coverage to note which players are going where.
Valorant Tournaments and Esports Betting Opportunities
Valorant’s rise as a top esport has also made it an exciting market for esports betting. If you are an esports punter (or considering getting into it), Valorant tournaments offer a variety of betting opportunities:
Most Popular Betting Markets
Like other competitive games, Valorant has a range of betting markets available on sportsbooks. Some of the most popular bet types include:
Match Winner: The straightforward bet on which team will win a given match. Because Valorant matches are usually best-of-3 (Bo3) or occasionally Bo5, there is no option for a draw – one team will be the winner.
Map Handicap: A handicap bet gives an advantage or disadvantage in maps. For instance, if Team A is a heavy favorite in a Bo3, you might see a -1.5 map handicap on them (meaning they must get a 2-0 to cover), whereas an underdog might be +1.5 (you win the bet if they win at least one map).
Total Maps/Rounds: Over/under bets on how many maps a match will go (will it go to map 3 or not) or total rounds in a map. Valorant’s max rounds in regulation are 24 (first to 13 wins), but many maps go into overtime. You could bet something like over 20.5 rounds on a map if you expect a close 13-10 game.
Prop Bets (Specials): There are fun proposition bets unique to Valorant. Common ones include First Blood (which team/player gets the first kill in a map), Spike plant/defuse bets, or total knife kills.
Futures/Outrights: Betting on longer-term outcomes, such as a team to win the entire tournament, or to win their group, or to reach the finals. For example, before the World Championship starts, you could bet on which team will lift the trophy.
Best Platforms to Bet on Valorant Tournaments
As esports betting has grown, many online sportsbooks now offer Valorant betting markets. When choosing a platform to bet on Valorant tournaments, look for a few key features:
Mainstream Bookmakers: Big international sportsbooks like Bet365 and DraftKings have embraced Valorant. These sites are known for reliability and often have promotions for esports bettors. Similarly, Betway (popular in Europe/Africa) sponsors esports and offers a variety of Valorant markets, and FanDuel in the US has added Valorant lines in legal states.
Esports-Focused Bookies: There are also betting platforms dedicated to esports, such as GG.BET and Stake. These sites often cover even smaller Valorant events, offer special bets, and integrate things like live streaming on-site.
Get in the Game with NXTbets’ Valorant Tournament Coverage
By now, you should have a solid overview of Valorant’s tournament scene. The competitive Valorant circuit offers year-round excitement, and its rapid rise shows no sign of slowing.
Whether you are tuning in purely as an esports fan or looking for smart betting opportunities, understanding the tournament formats and storylines will significantly enhance your experience.
At NXTbets, we are passionate about Valorant esports and aim to be your go-to companion for all things Valorant tournaments. Subscribe to our newsletter to get real-time odds, match previews, and tournament recaps so you’ll never miss a beat.
There is always something happening in Valorant esports! The VCT league season usually runs annually, with league matches in the spring, a Masters event mid-year, and Champions in late summer (this was the 2023–2024 schedule). In the off-season (late fall/winter), Riot often sanctions special tournaments or third-party events. Challenger leagues in various regions can also run concurrently.
Can I bet on Valorant tournaments legally?
Yes, you can bet on Valorant matches legally in many places. However, it depends on your local gambling laws. Esports betting is legal and regulated in countries like the UK, much of Europe, parts of Latin America, and some states in the US (where sportsbooks are licensed).
The tactical shooter scene has never been more exciting than it currently is, thanks to Valorant. Whether you are a seasoned esports fan or just bumped into and took an interest in Riot’s 5v5 shooter recently, betting on Valorant is a rewarding experience worth indulging in. Its unique agent dynamics, structured rounds, diverse betting markets, …
Valorant betting isn’t just about luck, but several things, including odds. Whether you are a casual esports fan or a seasoned bettor, understanding fractional, moneyline, and decimal odds, plus their values, is crucial for more thoughtful bet placement. You should also understand what influences odds for proper timing and informed wagering. NXTbets is here to help …
This isn’t just another group stage match. This is Paper Rex doing Paper Rex things—steamrolling through Pacific competition with no apologies, and trying to prove they still belong in the same league. The odds? Lopsided. The history? Brutal. But narratives don’t win maps. Execution does. Paper Rex has beaten ZETA in every official series since …
The EMEA Valorant scene lacks few rivalries with the same heat as that of FUT Esports vs BBL Esports. This fixture isn’t just about Week 5 of Stage 2—it’s a playoff race between two Turkish powerhouses with a history of fiery exchanges of maps and clutch moments. Nevertheless, these wins carry a ton of weight …
Valorant Tournaments: The Ultimate Guide to Riot’s Thrilling Esport
Table of Contents
Valorant is a 5v5 game that blends the precise gunplay of Counter-Strike with unique agent abilities. In just a few years, Valorant has evolved into a rapidly growing global esport, complete with a structured pro circuit and massive international events. Valorant tournaments now pack arenas and draw huge online audiences. The 2023 world championship finals nearly hit one million concurrent viewers on Twitch alone!
In this guide, NXTbets will break down everything you need to know about Valorant tournaments. From the official Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) format and major events, to top teams, star players, betting angles for esports bettors, and how to watch the action live.
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of Valorant esports and learn how to follow Valorant tournaments like a pro!
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The Competitive Structure of Valorant Esports
Valorant’s competitive scene is built around the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). This is the official global tournament circuit run by Riot Games. The VCT is a tiered system of events that teams battle through every year. Here is how it works:
The VCT – Valorant Champions Tour Structure
The VCT series has three levels of competition: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Teams start in regional Challengers events (the qualifying stage), advance to international Masters tournaments (mid-year majors), and ultimately aim to reach Valorant Champions (the year-end world championship). The latter is the pinnacle of the sport.
International Leagues (Americas, EMEA, Pacific)
In 2023, Valorant esports adopted a partnership (franchise) model with three International Leagues: VCT Americas, VCT EMEA, and VCT Pacific. Each league features ten partner teams that are the best from their region. These teams play a season of matches to determine regional champions.
The leagues act as the top-tier domestic competition and feed into the global Masters and Champions events. For example, a team that wins VCT Americas will earn a spot at Masters and Champions.
Game Changers Series – Valorant’s Inclusive Circuit
Beyond the main VCT, Riot also operates Valorant Game Changers. This is an official tournament series for women and marginalized genders. Game Changers runs regional competitions that give women players a platform to compete at a high level and showcase their talent. The best teams from regional Game Changers events qualify for the Game Changers Championship, which is essentially a world championship for women’s Valorant teams.
This initiative has been a big step for inclusivity in esports. Game Changers tournaments have grown steadily, with increasing prize pools and viewership. Teams like G2 Gozen (Europe) and Shopify Rebellion GC (North America) have made names for themselves by winning international Game Changers titles.
Third-Party Events & Invitationals
While Riot’s official circuit is the main course, third-party Valorant tournaments also spice up the scene – especially in the off-season. Community-organized or sponsor-hosted events provide additional competition and fun formats that sometimes differ from standard VCT play. Notable ones include:
How to Watch Valorant Tournaments Live
One great thing about Valorant esports is how accessible it is to watch. Here are the main ways to follow the action:
Official Riot Streams
Riot Games streams all major Valorant tournaments live on official channels, primarily Twitch and YouTube. You can tune into the Valorant Twitch channel or the VALORANT Esports YouTube channel during events to catch matches with professional commentary and production. The broadcasts feature multiple language streams as well, hence catering to a global audience (English, Spanish, Korean, etc.), so you can watch in your preferred language.
Co-streams and Community Watch Parties
In addition to Riot’s official streams, the Valorant community has a vibrant co-streaming culture. Influential streamers, content creators, and even former pro players often host watch parties for big matches. For example, popular streamer and ex-pro Tarik regularly co-streams VCT matches on his Twitch channel, adding his own commentary and analysis on top of the official broadcast. These co-streams can attract huge viewership (Tarik’s watch parties have hit 100k+ concurrent viewers) and provide a more casual, communal viewing experience.
In-Game Rewards for Viewers
Riot loves to reward viewers of Valorant esports with in-game drops and goodies. If you link your Valorant (Riot) account to Twitch or YouTube, you can earn exclusive cosmetic items by watching official tournament streams during special events. For instance, during Valorant Champions 2023, viewers could earn a limited-edition player card, title, and spray by watching matches on certain days. Game Changers Championship streams, Masters, and other major events often have similar watch rewards.
Top Teams and Players to Follow in Valorant Tournaments
Valorant has a diverse field of teams across multiple regions. A handful have risen to be the elite, and certain star players have made names for themselves with jaw-dropping performances:
Best Teams by Region
Americas
The Americas region boasts powerhouse teams like LOUD, NRG, and Sentinels. Brazilian squad LOUD have been dominant – they won the 2022 world championship and are known for their explosive play and passionate fanbase.
NRG (previously the core of NA’s OpTic Gaming) consistently ranks among the top NA teams, with strong tactical play and LAN experience.
Sentinels, while having ups and downs recently, are still a legendary name. They were the first international champions (Masters 2021) and have immense popularity thanks to star players and a 2021 undefeated run.
Matchups between NA and Brazilian teams in the Americas (like Sentinels vs LOUD) are must-watch clashes of styles and bragging rights.
EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa)
Europe has several top teams, notably Fnatic, NAVI, and Team Liquid. Fnatic (UK-based) has been the team to beat in EMEA. They consistently top the region and have two Masters titles under their belt.
NAVI (CIS/Ukraine-based, formerly Gambit’s roster) is another top contender, known for its strategic depth and clutch factor. They won Masters Berlin 2021 as Gambit and continue to be dangerous.
Team Liquid has had strong showings too by blending experienced talent and firepower (they won the EMEA league in early 2023).
Pacific (Asia-Pacific)
Leading the Pacific pack are DRX, Paper Rex (PRX), and ZETA DIVISION.
DRX (South Korea) is famous for its consistency. They often finish in the top 4 at international events, and won a major trophy in 2024. DRX plays a very methodical and coordinated style.
Paper Rex from Singapore, by contrast, is beloved for their hyper-aggressive strategies and creativity. PRX’s run to the 2023 Champions finals put APAC on the map.
ZETA DIVISION (Japan) captured hearts with a surprise semifinal run in 2022. They embody the rise of Japan’s scene and have a loyal following.
Star Players & Playmakers
Valorant’s top teams are backed by individual stars who can turn the tide of a round with sheer skill. Here are a few superstar players you should know:
These are just a few names – there are many other incredible talents (shoutout to players like Yay, ScreaM, MaKo, Buzz, Crashies, BoasteR, and the list goes on).
Roster Movements & Transfers
Valorant esports moves fast, and team rosters can change significantly from season to season. In the off-season, a period dubbed “roster mania”, teams often shuffle players, sign rising stars, or form new super-teams. Keeping up with these transfers is crucial for predicting how a team might perform in upcoming tournaments.
Such moves mean fans and bettors should reset their expectations each season. A team that dominated last year might falter if key players leave. An underperforming team could become a contender after signing a top player or an in-game leader who brings better coordination.
Always read the news between tournament seasons. You can follow Valorant esports news sites or NXTbets’ esports coverage to note which players are going where.
Valorant Tournaments and Esports Betting Opportunities
Valorant’s rise as a top esport has also made it an exciting market for esports betting. If you are an esports punter (or considering getting into it), Valorant tournaments offer a variety of betting opportunities:
Most Popular Betting Markets
Like other competitive games, Valorant has a range of betting markets available on sportsbooks. Some of the most popular bet types include:
Best Platforms to Bet on Valorant Tournaments
As esports betting has grown, many online sportsbooks now offer Valorant betting markets. When choosing a platform to bet on Valorant tournaments, look for a few key features:
Get in the Game with NXTbets’ Valorant Tournament Coverage
By now, you should have a solid overview of Valorant’s tournament scene. The competitive Valorant circuit offers year-round excitement, and its rapid rise shows no sign of slowing.
Whether you are tuning in purely as an esports fan or looking for smart betting opportunities, understanding the tournament formats and storylines will significantly enhance your experience.
At NXTbets, we are passionate about Valorant esports and aim to be your go-to companion for all things Valorant tournaments. Subscribe to our newsletter to get real-time odds, match previews, and tournament recaps so you’ll never miss a beat.
Offer Score
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Frequently Asked Questions
There is always something happening in Valorant esports! The VCT league season usually runs annually, with league matches in the spring, a Masters event mid-year, and Champions in late summer (this was the 2023–2024 schedule). In the off-season (late fall/winter), Riot often sanctions special tournaments or third-party events. Challenger leagues in various regions can also run concurrently.
Yes, you can bet on Valorant matches legally in many places. However, it depends on your local gambling laws. Esports betting is legal and regulated in countries like the UK, much of Europe, parts of Latin America, and some states in the US (where sportsbooks are licensed).
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