Riot Games has announced more details regarding their Champions Los Angeles event, to be held on August 6-26.
UNITED STATES – The slot allocation for VALORANT Champions Los Angeles 2023 has been revealed by Riot Games. Los Angeles, California, will play host to a total of 16 teams from three major regions: Americas (3+1), Pacific (3+1), and EMEA (3+1), in addition to China (3).
In addition to qualifying for Masters Tokyo, the top three teams from each international league will secure qualification for Champions. Furthermore, each region will receive an additional berth through the Last Chance Qualifiers.
China will have three spots allocated through the region’s twelve-team qualifier, which comprises the top teams from FGC VALORANT Invitational Act I and Act II, along with eight teams from the pre-qualifier stage.
An additional spot (1) will be granted to the region that secures the victory at VCT Masters Tokyo. This approach is similar to that of LOCK//IN, in which EMEA received an extra spot at Masters after FNATIC emerged as the victor in São Paulo.
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International League Playoffs
May 19 – 28
The playoffs for the International Leagues will take place from May 19th to 28th. The Pacific League playoffs will begin on May 19th, followed by the EMEA and Americas playoffs on May 23rd. The outcome of these playoffs is crucial, as the top three teams from each league will qualify for both Masters Tokyo and Champions Los Angeles. However, EMEA will qualify the teams that finish in the top four due to fielding four teams at Masters Tokyo.
Masters Tokyo
June 11 – 25
Masters Tokyo will feature the top three representatives from each league, as well as two teams from China. EMEA will be sending a fourth team to the tournament as a result of FNATIC’s victory at LOCK//IN, earning an extra slot in the competition. The winning team will be crowned the Masters Tokyo Champion and will secure their region a fifth slot at Champions.
Challengers Ascension
June 28 – July 16
Challengers Ascension will start immediately after Masters Tokyo from June 28th to July 16th. Each of the three Ascension tournaments will promote one team into the international leagues for the following two years. More information about the Ascension tournaments will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Champions CN Qualifiers
July 3 – 16
The Champions CN Qualifiers will feature 12 teams from China to determine the top three teams qualifying for Champions.
Last Chance Qualifier
July 15 – 23
The Last Chance Qualifier is the final opportunity for teams in the international leagues to claim a spot at Champions, taking place in late July. Each of the ILs will qualify a fourth team through the LCQs, except for the region that won Masters, which will qualify two teams.
Champions Los Angeles
August 6 – 26
All roads lead to Champions – the biggest event of the 2023 VALORANT Champions Tour. The tournament will feature 16 teams converging in Los Angeles to fight for the Champions title.
“The VCT is more global than ever, from the loud, dazzling stress of Sao Paulo to the neon-lit skyscrapers of Tokyo. All of these roads lead to one city, where superstars are born. The only place we could have held VALORANT Champions 2023: Los Angeles.
These hallowed halls have been home to some of the biggest names in entertainment and sport: from Kendrick Lamar to Rihanna. A million magic moments. This is where legends – no, champions – are made. Welcome to the KIA Forum.
It’s been seven years since Riot hosted a championship in our own backyard. And what a better way to usher in the new era of the VCT than with a house party?”
LOUD are the reigning world champions after winning the 2022 event in Istanbul, Turkey, by beating OpTic Gaming in the final. More details regarding the tournament format, prize money breakdown, and ticket sales will be revealed closer to the event date.
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Cover photo courtesy of Roberto Nickson
