With 2024 coming to a close and North America back on top of the VALORANT Game Changers world, it’s time to announce details for yet another thrilling season. Following the incredible run by NA’s own, Shopify Rebellion, at the Game Changers Championship 2024, we’re excited to reveal details for the 2025 season to find out who will represent NA on the global stage once again.
For the 2025 competitive season, Verizon VCT Game Changers NA will again be operated by Raidiant, a women-led tournament organizer and broadcaster. Our teams and Raidiant have been hard at work in the off-season, connecting with numerous Game Changers NA teams—from the best of the best to the up-and-coming—with the goal of continually improving the competitive format. We gathered insight from a handful of orgs, coaches and players alike, and are excited to share what's to come!
We’re proud to present a new, revitalized format that includes ample opportunities to qualify, an increase in broadcast days (from 34 days in 2024 to 60+ days in 2025!), more meaningful matches for the top teams with a quicker path to qualify, and a kickoff tournament for prize money (but no circuit points) so that teams can ease into the season.
A total of $150,000 in prize money is up for grabs over the course of the season, across numerous exciting events. Additionally, each stage’s Main Event will award Game Changers Championship Circuit Points to determine who will represent NA at the end of the year!
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
January 2025:
Open Qualifier: January 28 - 29, January 31 - February 1
Main Event: February 11 - 16
February - May 2025:
STAGE 1 - Open Qualifier (32 Teams per Qualifier):
Open Qualifier #1: March 4 - 5, 7 - 8
Open Qualifier #2: April 1 - 2, 4 - 5
STAGE 1 - Swiss Stage (16 Teams):
Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) weeks: April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 9, May 12, May 16
STAGE 1 - Main Event (8 Teams):
Eight (8) team Double Elimination bracket: May 23 - 25, May 30 - June 1
June - October 2025:
STAGE 2 - Open Qualifier (32 Teams per Qualifier):
Open Qualifier #3: July 1 - 2, 5 - 6
Open Qualifier #4: July 15 - 16, 18 - 19
STAGE 2 - Swiss Stage (16 Teams):
Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) weeks: July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18, August 20, September 8, September 10
STAGE 2 - Main Event (8 Teams):
Eight (8) team Double Elimination bracket: October 7 - 12
Year-Long:
Series 201 - March 2025
Series 202 - May 2025
Series 203 - June 2025
Series 204 - October 2025
Series 205 - December 2025
KICKOFF TOURNAMENT DETAILS
In an effort to find a balance between limiting downtime between seasons but also giving players time to find the right rosters, we created the Game Changers NA Kickoff Tournament. Up to thirty-two (32) teams will have the opportunity to compete in a one-off, $10,000 tournament. The tournament will have no Game Changers Championship implications. Instead, it’ll be a chance for teams to trial players, get some practice in a live tournament environment, and prepare themselves for the upcoming season.
Prize Pool: $10,000
Format:
GSL Group Stage (32 Teams) - Day 1 & Day 2
Eight (8) groups, with four (4) teams per group
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Qualifying Stage - Double Elimination Bracket (16 Teams) - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top eight (8) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Main Event
Main Event (8 Teams) - Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9 & Day 10
Eight (8) team Double Elimination Bracket
Best-of-Three (Bo3) until Lower Bracket Finals, then (Bo5) for Lower Bracket Finals & Grand Finals
Broadcast:
GSL Group Stage: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Qualifying Stage: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Main Event: Twitch @ /valorant_americas & YouTube @valorant_americas
STAGE 1 & STAGE 2 DETAILS
The regular season will run in two identical stages, both with their own $65,000 prize pool and both with Game Changers Championship points. Stage 1 kicks off in February and runs through May.
Teams have their opportunity to earn a place in Stage 1 through two Open Qualifiers, where up to thirty-two (32) teams can enter per Qualifier. Each Qualifier lasts four days and has various stages - GSL Group Stage. The top eight (8) teams from each Qualifier will advance to the Swiss Stage.
The Swiss Stage operates over five weeks, with one match per week for the first three weeks and two matches per week for the remaining two weeks. During the Swiss Stage, we’ll offer three simultaneous broadcasts - two “Observer-Only” broadcasts where Co-Streamers are welcomed to leverage the clean feed for their own channels, and a “Match of the Week” broadcast with casters. From the Swiss Stage, teams compete for one of eight (8) spots in the Main Event.
The stage will conclude with the Main Event, which operates in the same format and broadcast structure of past Main Events, with a full talent crew, all the broadcast bells and whistles, including player content and broadcast on the VALORANT Americas channels.
Top placing teams will earn a share of the $65,000 prize pool and coveted Game Changers Championship Circuit Points, which is what is needed to compete on the international stage at the end of the year.
In an effort to to ensure high performing teams are rewarded for their consistency, the top eight (8) teams from the Stage 1 will auto qualify for Stage 2 Swiss, thus being able to skip Open Qualifier #3 / #4.
Prize Pool: $65,000 per Stage & Game Changers Championship Circuit Points
Format - Stage 1 - Open Qualifier:
Open Qualifier #1 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket (16 Teams) - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top eight (8) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage
Open Qualifier #2 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top eight (8) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage, thus concluding the Swiss Stage qualification process
Format - Stage 2 - Open Qualifier:
Open Qualifier #3 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket (16 Teams) - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top four (4) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage
Open Qualifier #4 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top four (4) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage, thus concluding the Swiss Stage qualification process
Broadcast - Open Qualifier: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer-Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Format - Swiss Stage:
Swiss Stage (16 Teams) - Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) weeks
Week 1 - Round 1
Week 2 - Round 2
Week 3 - Round 3
Week 4 - Rounds 4 & 5
Week 5 - Rounds 6 & 7
Broadcast - Swiss Stage: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer-Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Format - Main Event:
Main Event (8 Teams) - Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9 & Day 10
Eight (8) team Double Elimination Bracket
Best-of-Three (Bo3) until Lower Bracket Finals, then (Bo5) for Lower Bracket Finals & Grand Finals
Broadcast - Main Event:
Main Event: Twitch @ /valorant_americas & YouTube @valorant_americas
Secondary Stream: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer-Only) & approved Co-Streamers
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
Verizon VCT Game Changers NA welcomes back AnyKey as the player eligibility verification partner for 2025.
Serving as both a comfortable process for all applicants while also ensuring all applicants follow strict guidelines to verify they are who they say they are, AnyKey will use its enhanced security measures, fraud protection, and anti-cheat measures to create a fair competitive landscape.
This is mandatory and there are no exceptions.
Certificates will expire one year from issue date. If participants competed in Game Changers NA 2024, at some point throughout the 2025 season, players will need to re-apply to update their AnyKey certificates. It’s recommended that this be completed at the start of the season prior to a certificate’s expiration date to avoid missing any tournament registration deadlines.
Protecting player privacy is paramount to Game Changers NA and AnyKey. Players can be assured that any documentation they upload will be deleted once their application has been processed and that all interviews are private and confidential.
For more information about AnyKey, visit anykey.org and join the AnyKey Discord.
RAIDIANT ACADEMY
For the 2025 season, the Game Changers Academy program will continue again as Raidiant Academy. In 2024, several first-time Raidiant Academy players went on to compete in Game Changers NA, fulfilling the “path to pro” pipeline the event series was designed for. Raidiant Academy events allow aspiring Verizon VCT Game Changers NA teams (and casters, observers and production staff) to challenge themselves in a lower-stakes environment before tackling the big leagues, test out their newest roster, and compete for a share of the recurring $2,000 USD prize pot.
Through exciting broadcasts featuring up-and-coming broadcast talent and compelling storytelling content, Raidiant will shine a spotlight on emerging talent who may become the stars of tomorrow in Verizon VCT Game Changers NA. Additionally, Raidiant will work with aspiring casters, producers, and observers to bring the event to life. Further updates, including dates and registration, will be announced on https://discord.gg/Raidiant/ and https://x.com/RaidiantGG.
Broadcast:
Day 1: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Day 2: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG
CO-STREAMING
Anyone wishing to host a costream must read and agree to our VCT Costreaming Guidelines listed on the form to gain permission to costream the event. If you can do that, you’re clear to kick off your Watch Party on game day.
Sign up to host a Watch Party here. All Watch Parties must comply with the Watch Party Guidelines.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Follow along with the action and share your support on social media using #VCTGameChangersNA.
X (formerly Twitter) - @valesportsna & @RaidiantGG
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
Verizon
Verizon is the official 5G and wireless services provider of the VCT. In addition to top-shelf video content and sponsored broadcast segments, Verizon ups our game through the Verizon Up rewards program, which features discounted in-game digital goods for the community to enjoy.
iBUYPOWER
iBUYPOWER is the official PC partner of VCT Americas and VALORANT Game Changers NA, presenting the “iBUYPOWER ACE”.
Red Bull
Red Bull is the official energy drink of VCT, presenting the Red Bull “Clutch Moment” during every match. Red Bull is also helping prepare the next generation of VALORANT pros by hosting community VALORANT tournaments, spotlighting the incredible grassroots talent of the scene.
Secretlab
Secretlab provides VCT pros with the pinnacle of gaming chairs — each designed and engineered using the highest quality materials and manufacturing techniques to ensure absolute comfort and unparalleled support.
Raidiant
Founded by women, for women. Raidiant is an events, broadcast and tournament solutions provider that creates opportunities for women in esports. Raidiant is this year’s tournament organizer and broadcast partner for Verizon VALORANT Game Changers NA.
