January 18, 2022 Valorant Esports Staff
The VALORANT Champions Tour is back! With a new year comes a new format built to celebrate those who carried the NA torch the furthest in VCT 2021 while ensuring up-and-coming teams have a chance to make their mark.
Here’s everything you need to know about 2022 VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA.
With a year of VALORANT play in the books, the competitive landscape continues to evolve, and the Challengers NA format is evolving right alongside it. Stage 1 will now feature two Open Qualifiers, ensuring that teams with sustained success have a chance to qualify for the Main Event and play with the best of the best.
And speaking of the best of the best, we are recognizing the four NA teams that best represented the region in 2021 by inviting them directly to the Stage 1 Main Event, so please join us in welcoming the first four teams to advance: Sentinels, Envy, Cloud9, and 100 Thieves!
As you'll see across other regions, all teams that earned a spot at VALORANT Champions have automatically advanced to the Stage 1 Main Event. The fourth NA team has been selected based on final 2021 NA Circuit Points standings.
With four teams locked in, the final eight Main Event spots will be up for grabs in the Open Qualifiers.
Open Qualifier #1 runs from January 27 through January 30 and Open Qualifier #2 runs from February 3 through February 6. Each qualifier will have four Main Event spots up for grabs and will feature a 128-team bracket with seeding determined by VCT 2021 circuit points (if the roster is still eligible) and recent performance in non-VCT competition.
Round of 128 and Round of 64 will both be single-elimination format, while Round of 32 and later will be double-elimination. All matches will be in a best-of-three format and the bracket will culminate once all four Main Event spots have been claimed.
For Open Qualifier #1, teams that place between 5th and 16th will be seeded #1-12 in Open Qualifier #2. Open Qualifiers will be played on Patch 4.01, which goes live on January 19.
And as for the million dollar question…yes, Neon will be available for competitive play beginning January 25. Register to compete below!
The Stage 1 Main Event kicks off a month of fierce VALORANT competition on February 11. The teams will be split into two groups of six teams each and matches will be played every Friday through Sunday for five weeks.
All matches will be in a best-of-three format and the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs.
Playoffs begin on March 17, featuring the top eight teams squaring off in a double-elimination bracket. Matches will be played Thursday through Sunday for two weeks and will all be in a best-of-three format until the Lower Finals and Grand Finals, which will both be best-of-five.
Only two North American teams will receive berths to VCT Stage 1 - Masters, so join us to find out which two make the early claim for North American supremacy.
You’ll be able to catch the best VALORANT action on YouTube and across our Twitch channels:
Anyone who wishes to host a Watch Party must read and agree to our VCT Co-streaming Guidelines and comply with the following steps in order to gain permission to co-stream the event:
We’re proud to be working closely with our Signature Partners to start the 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour off right, a huge thank you to Red Bull, Verizon, Aim Lab, and Secretlab.
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.
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.
Aim Lab is the official training partner of VCT, helping develop existing VALORANT pros and players trying to break into the professional scene with a variety of innovative training programs and custom insights.
Secretlab provides VCT pros with the pinnacle of gaming seats — each designed and engineered using the highest quality materials and manufacturing techniques to ensure absolute comfort and unparalleled support.
Prime Gaming provides a premium VCT viewing experience, including exclusive in-game content, on Twitch as a part of Amazon Prime and Prime Video memberships.
January 18, 2022 Valorant Esports Staff