With all the Open Qualifiers for Challengers completed, we are ready to unveil more information about the next promotion opportunity into Challengers for players. VALORANT Premier continues to be the gateway for teams aspiring to qualify into Challengers and the VCT.
The Episode 8 Act 2 Season of Premier marks the first time when Premier teams will feed directly into a Challengers qualification event via their team’s placement in the Contenders Division. The top Contender teams will be rewarded for their strong performance across the entire season rather than simply qualifying for Contender Division as was the case for the Open Qualifiers. We continue to acknowledge that the Episode 8 Premier Season is a transitional phase and we will be implementing more features and improvements to Premier to create an even better Path to Pro for the most talented players.
TL;DR
- Episode 8 Act 2 stage for Premier opens on March 5th for registration and will run until April 28th. Form and register your team by March 13th to ensure you do not miss the first match window on March 14th.
- Teams will earn their spot in the Promotion and Relegation event by playing in the Episode 8 Act 2 stage for Premier Contender
- At the end of the stage, the top teams from Contender will fight through a bracket for the chance to compete against Challengers teams and earn a spot in stage 2 of the Challengers Season.
- Specifics on number of teams and format for Promotion and Relegation event may vary by region
What is Premier?
A refresher that Premier is our in-game competitive tournament system, providing you with an opportunity to test your skills in a competitive arena. For an in-depth look, check out our detailed FAQ which can provide more insights.
The Path to Contender and the May Promotion and Relegation Event
Check out our previous article for details on how to qualify for Premier Contender Division, but a quick rundown is:
- Achieve Immortal 3 Rank: You'll need a current rank of Immortal 3 or higher to qualify for the Contender tier of Premier.
- Assemble a team of players Immortal 3 Rank or above: This will guarantee your team a slot in Contender Division
- The Challenger League age requirement is 16 years old, make sure that all players on your team are 16 or above to remain eligible for the promotion tournament in May.
- Sign up for the Premier zone which connects to your regional Challengers League
There is a possibility that you can still get into the Contender Division with players of lower rank than Immortal 3, so we encourage players to check your Premier rank frequently after March 12th. The Episode 8 Act 2 stage for Premier runs from March 4th to April 28th.
In Premier, teams can be formed from a minimum of 5 players to a maximum of 7 players. While substitutions are allowed during weekly play, the 5 players that queue up for the first match of the playoff tournament will be locked in for the rest of the tournament. Make sure you plan accordingly as Premier will not let you swap players once the tournament starts.
As a reminder, players are allowed to participate in Premier with only one account. We will be monitoring for ringers, substitutes, selling or sharing accounts, and cross-region play. Teams who violate these and other rules (cheating) will face severe repercussions. In order to facilitate the best possible experience, current Pros can not compete within Premier. We define Pros as players who are currently on an active Challenger or International League roster. Game Changers competitors are eligible to compete in Premier. Players who are found competing in Premier and in violation of our policies will face penalties.
Premier Contenders Standings
After playing through the entire Premier stage, your team will be ranked via the Contender standings. Teams will see their standing as playoff brackets start finishing, as there will be a visible column in game that shows the standing. As each playoff bracket completes, the standings will update and will lock 48 hours after Playoffs end.
Standings are determined by the following criteria, in order of importance:
- Playoff Bracket Result
- Premier Score Total
- Number of Weekly Matches Played
It is important that you play all of your Premier regular season games as these could be the deciding factor at the end of the stage! The top teams from Episode 8 Act 2 Contenders Division will qualify for the May Promotion and Relegation event.
Premier & Challengers May Promotion and Relegation Event
To qualify for the May Promotion and Relegation Event, your team will need to place near the top of the Contender Division. Details for how many teams will qualify for the tournament and how many teams will come from Contender will vary by Challengers League so check your regional Challenger League’s communication for additional details.
The Promotion and Relegation Event will take place between May 1st and May 19th. Qualifying teams will need to be on the lookout for communications from regional Challengers League Tournament Organizers immediately after Premier playoffs in order to onboard them. If a TO contacts you via email, you are expected to respond within 48 hours of the request. If you do not respond, TOs may reach out to the next team and you may be disqualified. Premier Team Captains should ensure they can check their email frequently after qualifying!
In order to enter into a Challengers League, a team must ensure that they meet the guidelines laid out by their regional Challengers League. In some regions, you will need to have an incorporated entity to participate in Challengers. You will have a short window depending on your region after promoting into Challengers to finalize the process of creating an incorporated entity.
A minimum of 2 spots will be up for promotion in every Challengers League, though there may be more spots depending on your regional Challengers League. We have already had some Premier teams join our Challengers Leagues across the globe and look forward to seeing if more can join during the May Promotion and Relegation Event.
Your journey from Premier to Challengers is a testament to your dedication, skill, and passion for VALORANT. It's a path filled with challenges and opportunities, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Remember, this is just the beginning, stay tuned for more updates on Premier, Challengers, and the 2024 VCT Season!
