VCT Champions 2025: Schedule, Rules, Favorites, and Everything About the VALORANT World Championship!

Bonjour, joueur! France will host one of the biggest eSports tournaments of the year: VCT Champions 2025, or the VALORANT World Championship, for those more familiar. Starting on Friday, September 12, the tournament features a multi-million-dollar prize pool and runs until October 5!

This year, Riot Games introduced major changes to the format of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) season, making this possibly the most competitive edition in history!

After months of intense rivalries, epic comebacks, and logic-defying plays, the 16 best tactical-shooter Valorant teams in the world will battle in an even more special global competition, featuring strategic changes to the format.

Want to go beyond cheering and bet on your favorite team? Then keep reading and discover everything about the 2025 VALORANT Champions Tour and how to prepare your bets for the fifth edition of the World Championship!

What are the main changes in VCT Champions 2025?

The 2025 edition of the VALORANT Champions Tour introduced several key changes to enhance the competitive experience — both for players and fans. One of the most notable adjustments is the length of the season, which now runs from January to October.

This means teams had more preparation time, raising the technical level of competition. Another major change is in qualification criteria and slot distribution, now designed to reward consistency throughout the year.

Until 2024, each Stage 2 qualified its top three teams, while the other slots were determined by points across the season. The Stage 1 champion earned two extra points, while winners of the Kickoff and Masters 1 and 2 received three. Additionally, each win in Stages 1 and 2 was worth one point.

Starting this year, the system is quite different: each Stage 2 now qualifies only its top two teams, while third and fourth earn four and three points. Masters 2 awards seven, five, four, and three points to its top four teams, plus two points to fifth and sixth place.

Masters 1 and Stage 1 have the same point distribution: five for the champion, three for the runner-up, two for third, and one for fourth — though Stage 1 also grants one point per regular-season victory.

The Kickoff Tournament also underwent significant adjustments, awarding three points to the winner, two to the runner-up, and one to third and fourth. Its format was redesigned too, now using a draw system to determine initial matchups.

In other words: the top four teams from the previous year only enter in the second round, giving extra incentive to compete in one of the four opening tournaments of the VALORANT Champions Tour, even with fewer points at stake.

The final new feature of the current VALORANT season is aesthetic. The design of the Champions skin collection has changed, with this year’s Vandal featuring a “champion’s aura” that glows when the player tops the scoreboard!

What is the format of VALORANT Champions 2025?

Known simply as VCT to fans, the 2025 VALORANT World Championship is split into two phases: the Group Stage and the Playoffs. Here’s how each one works:

Group Stage

Played between September 12 and 22, all 16 teams are divided into four groups of four, with matchups determined by the GSL system. Unlike the Swiss System, opening matches are drawn, and each group features four rounds.

Matches are played in Best-of-Three (Bo3) with Double Elimination. The winners of the opening matches face off to determine the first team advancing, while the remaining teams battle for the second qualifying spot.

Playoffs

Starting on September 25 and running until October 5, the Playoffs feature the eight best teams from the Group Stage. Here, Double Elimination and Bo3 series continue, giving teams a second chance after a loss.

The Upper Bracket includes Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and a Final. The Lower Bracket has a First Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and a Final. As you might expect, the finalists from each path will clash in the Grand Final!

It’s worth noting that the only change in the knockout format comes in the Lower Bracket Final and the Grand Final, which are played as Best-of-Five (Bo5). In other words: up to five matches decide the champion!

VALORANT Champions 2025 Teams and Their Highlights

The 2025 VALORANT World Championship brings together 16 teams from the four main circuits: VCT Americas, VCT EMEA, VCT Pacific, and VCT China. Qualification for the tournament was based on results from the regular season stages and Masters events.

Check out the participating teams in the most prestigious competition of the VALORANT competitive scene:

VCT Americas

The Americas region comes in strong with three teams that consistently stood out. Sentinels, one of the biggest powerhouses in the scene and winners of Masters Madrid, secured their spot with a solid performance throughout the year. The team of Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, who officially stepped away from competitive Valorant in 2024, showed that even with roster changes, the organization remains a force to be reckoned with.

G2 Esports also earned their place with a dominant campaign and are considered one of the main title contenders. For Brazil, the hopes lie with MIBR, who qualified after a consistent run in an extremely competitive field. The team of Erick “aspas” Santos and the newly signed Andrew “Verno” Maust demonstrated resilience and the ability to overcome challenges, earning their presence at the biggest event of the year.

VCT EMEA

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) is a region known for its depth and for producing teams with innovative strategies. Fnatic, with its long history of success and one of the most cohesive rosters, is always a feared name. They secured their spot with a second-place finish at Masters Toronto.

Team Liquid, which had a remarkable season and is seen by many as one of the favorites, also made it in — their qualification came as no surprise to anyone following the circuit. Team Heretics also stands out, arriving as champions of the Esports World Cup.

VCT Pacific

Paper Rex, known for their aggressive and unpredictable playstyle, are among the favorites for the title. The team finished first in their circuit and also had an excellent performance at Masters Toronto, reaching the final and securing their ticket to Paris. DRX also qualified with a solid performance and are once again chasing the long-awaited world title.

VCT China

The newest dedicated region in the game, VCT China, brought a whole new dynamic to the competitive Valorant scene. Edward Gaming (EDG), who dominated their circuit, is a team opponents cannot underestimate, renowned for their tactical plays and flawless coordination.

What are the groups for VALORANT Champions 2025?

Decided by draw, the four groups for this year’s VALORANT World Championship were revealed right after the Americas Stage 2 Final. American hosts Victoria and Goldenboy led the event, broadcast live from the Los Angeles Riot Games Arena.

Four pots were divided based on team seeding, with each group receiving one from each pot, and no two teams from the same region could face off in groups. The first two pots consisted of Stage 2 qualifiers, while the third and fourth featured teams that earned their spots via Championship Points.

• Group A: Paper Rex, GIANTX, Sentinels, and XLG Esports
• Group B: Bilibili Gaming, Rex Regum Qeon, Fnatic, and MIBR
• Group C: Team Liquid, NRG, Edward Gaming, and DRX
• Group D: G2 Esports, Dragon Ranger Gaming, T1, and Team Heretics

Schedule for VALORANT Champions 2025

The 2025 VALORANT World Championship will be a long, nearly month-long tournament: it begins on September 12 and concludes on October 5. There will be a three-day break between the Group Stage and the Playoffs, with top-tier action throughout.

Here’s the full schedule for VALORANT Champions 2025:

• Group Stage: September 12–22
• Playoffs: September 25–October 5
• Grand Final: October 5

The group stage and the first playoff matches will take place at Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud, in the Évry-Courcouronnes area — 45 minutes from Paris. The Finals and the Grand Final will be hosted at the iconic Accor Arena, in the heart of the capital, with a capacity of up to 20,000 fans!

First Round of VALORANT Champions 2025

The first round of the Group Stage will feature the following matchups:

• Paper Rex vs. XLG Esports
• GIANTX vs. Sentinels
• Bilibili Gaming vs. MIBR
• Rex Regum Qeon vs. Fnatic
• NRG vs. Edward Gaming
• Team Liquid vs. DRX
• G2 Esports vs. Team Heretics
• Dragon Ranger Gaming vs. T1

For real-time results, keep an eye on the official VALORANT eSports website.

Who are the favorites to win VALORANT Champions 2025?

The time for the World Championship is almost here, and you can already check the odds on Blaze’s VALORANT betting page. Odds change over time and are not a guarantee of results, but they reflect the perception of the community about which teams are coming in strong for the tournament.

Before VALORANT Champions 2025 kicks off, Paper Rex is considered the main contender for the title with odds of 2.75. G2 Esports is seen as the biggest threat to the Asian squad, with odds of 4.0, mainly thanks to their performance in VCT Americas.

Fnatic from Europe is the third-ranked organization among the favorites with odds of 7.0, motivated largely by their runner-up finish at the Esports World Cup. Their regional rivals, Team Liquid, are slightly behind at 7.5, coming off their EMEA Stage 2 title.

Sentinels could surprise, but they need to recover the form that won them last year’s Masters Madrid. With odds of 10.0, the North Americans share the same line as Team Heretics, who won the Esports World Cup earlier this year but showed inconsistency in EMEA Stage 2.

The seventh team among potential champions is NRG, coming in energized by their Asian title and listed at 13.0. And if the odds from the Competitions tab hold in the final Group Stage standings, two teams are tied for the last playoff spot at 34.0: Rex Regum Qeon, runners-up of Stage 2, and T1, the reigning Masters Bangkok champions.

Looking to exceed expectations to reach the Playoffs, Edward Gaming has title odds of 41.0 and will need to recapture the magic of their 2024 championship. Meanwhile, Brazil’s MIBR struggled with inconsistency at Masters Toronto and has odds of 67.0 — the same as Bilibili Gaming, who won China’s Stage 2 and arrive in better form.

XLG Esports enters as the biggest underdog, at 100.0, after an irregular Stage 2 season. Two teams are tied just above them with odds of 76.0: GIANTX and Dragon Ranger Gaming, who finished second in EMEA Stage 2 and China Stage 2, respectively.

What is the prize pool for VALORANT Champions 2025?

VALORANT Champions 2025 will distribute a total of $2.25 million among all participants. No one will go home empty-handed, but the champions will return with the coveted World Championship trophy and $1 million in prize money!

The runner-up will receive $400,000, while the third- and fourth-place teams will take home $250,000 and $130,000, respectively. Fifth and sixth place finishers will each earn $85,000, while the bottom two teams of the Playoffs will earn $50,000. To round things out, those who lose the Decider Match in the Group Stage will receive $30,000, while the losers of the Elimination Match will take home $20,000.

Beyond the prize pool, the tournament is the crowning achievement of a year’s work for teams and players. Winning Champions represents the pinnacle of a career in VALORANT, cementing the legacy of both the organization and its members. The event is the ultimate goal of the VCT season.

Where to watch VALORANT Champions 2025?

You can follow the official tournament broadcast across several platforms, including the official VALORANT Champions Tour channel on Twitch and the official VALORANT Esports channel on YouTube.

Additionally, many well-known streamers and content creators will be hosting watch parties for the event. Keep an eye on your favorite creators’ channels to see if they’ll be covering the matches — a great way to watch games alongside the esports community.

Bet on VALORANT at Blaze!

VALORANT Champions 2025 in Paris will be an epic event, with fierce competition promised. If you’re a fan of Riot Games’ hero shooter or esports in general, and you want to experience the thrill at another level, this is the perfect time to spice up your experience!

But don’t forget to check out our eSports betting guide before making your picks. After all, it’s important to study the rules, data, and statistics before betting on any outcome — understanding the risks involved is essential for a safe, enjoyable, and responsible experience.

Always remember that betting is entertainment, meant to make sports (traditional or digital) even more exciting. Treating this hobby as a source of income, investment, or extra earnings is extremely risky and can have serious consequences for your mental and financial health — including addiction.

Now you know what to expect from this year’s VALORANT World Championship and how to plan your bets. Ready for the thrill? Don’t miss a single play, and if you like testing your predictions, visit the VALORANT Champions 2025 page at Blaze!

Frequently Asked Questions about VALORANT Champions 2025

What is the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT)?

The VCT is Riot Games’ official VALORANT esports circuit, which culminates with VALORANT Champions, the tournament that crowns the world champion of the season.

Did MIBR qualify for VCT Champions 2025?

Yes, the Brazilian Valorant team MIBR qualified for the tournament, representing Brazil in the VCT Americas region.

Who are the main favorites for the 2025 VALORANT World Championship?

Odds point to teams like G2 Esports, Team Liquid, and Paper Rex as the top contenders, but esports is a dynamic scene where surprises can always happen.

How does the Swiss System work in Valorant esports?

The Swiss System is a tournament format that pairs teams with similar numbers of wins and losses. The idea is that stronger teams play each other while weaker teams are gradually eliminated — though this system is not used in VALORANT Champions.