What’s Next for VALORANT Esports After Champions 2025

Written by: Wei

21/06/2025

With Champions 2025 wrapping up in early October, there’s still plenty of action ahead for VALORANT fans.

Major competitions like Ascension, Game Changers, and international tournaments will take center stage, bringing top teams together to compete for promotion, pride, and trophies.

This marks the start of an exciting final stretch for the year, with more updates on events, tickets, and broadcasts set to drop later this summer.

Ascension: One Step Closer to the International Leagues

From October 13 to 26, the 2025 Ascension tournaments kick off right after Champions. The top Challengers and Ascended teams will fight for a coveted spot in the 2026 International Leagues.

Will returning teams hold their ground, or will new contenders rise through the ranks? Here's when and where each region’s event will take place:

VCT Ascension EMEA: October 19–26 at the VCT EMEA Berlin studio
VCT Ascension AMERICAS: October 17–26 at the Riot Games São Paulo studio
VCT Ascension CN: October 11–19 at the VCT CN Studio
VCT Ascension PACIFIC: October 13–26 in Bangkok, Thailand

Path Scenarios for Ascended Teams:

Extended Stay in IL: Only possible if a team qualifies for Champions.
Defend Their Slot: Applies if the team reaches Stage 2 Playoffs, ranks top 8 in Champions Points, or is the lower performer among two Ascended teams who both qualify for Champions.
Relegation to Challengers: Happens if none of the above conditions are met.

Game Changers Championship Heads to Seoul

The Game Changers Championship will make its debut in Seoul at the legendary LoL Park from November 20 to 30.

The tournament will showcase the top Game Changers teams globally. A Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) for GC Americas has already been confirmed, with more details available now.

Introducing the VCT Partner Series

The VCT Partner Series is launching this year to highlight key events held between VCT seasons.

These tournaments are designed to align with the VCT calendar, support event organizers in securing VCT teams, and offer open qualifiers where Challengers and Amateur teams can take on partnered teams. This first wave of events kicks off right after Champions.

Here’s what’s lined up:

Red Bull Home Ground World Final

Date: November 14–16
Location: Americas (Finals in New York)
Details: Top VCT and qualified teams will battle for the title.
SOOP VALORANT League Pacific

Date: December 1–7
Details: A sneak peek at new team rosters before the 2026 season begins.
Project Blender

Date: October–December
Location: Across EMEA
Details: A fresh tournament with unique rules. Open qualifiers will include up to 1,024 teams from every tier—VRC, Premier, Challengers, Game Changers, VCT EMEA, and more—culminating in a grand final this December.