Valorant Champions 2022 is an end-of-the-year grand event by Riot Games Inc. for their FPS title Valorant. This event is the conclusion of the Valorant Champions Tour cycle for the year and determines the best team in the world of valorant esports.
Moreover, consisting of the most prominent teams globally, ten teams qualify based on circuit points gained throughout the year from events like Masters and Challengers. The remaining six teams qualify from the Last Chance Qualifiers held at the end of the regular VCT (Valorant Champions Tour) cycle and right before the champions’ event.
Valorant Champions is the equivalent of Worlds or Worlds Championship from the League of Legends game, which is also published and developed by Riot Games Inc. Teams will be competing for trophies, a prize pool, and a chance to write their name in history.
Table of Contents
History of Champions
Valorant Champions is a yearly event that takes place only once in an entire VCT cycle. However, the game has been around for just over two years. Hence to date, only one Champions was held back in December of 2021. Valorant Champions 2021 was held in Berlin, Germany. Furthermore, the event was spread across 12 days between December 1 – December 12, 2021.
The winners of the inaugural Champions were team Ascend representing Europe, followed by Gambit Esports and KRÜ Esports at 2nd and 3rd position, respectively. Ascend Esports won the grand title of “Valorant Champions 2021”, a trophy and the lion’s share of $350,000 from the total prize pool of $1,000,000 apart from the money accumulated from the sales of 2021 Champions Skinline.
Ascend Esports won the event after the initially weak performance but a relatively strong performance in the later stages of the event. Finally, beating Gambit Esports 3-2 in a nail-biting match and won the bragging rights to call themselves Champions.
Valorant Champions 2022
The next Valorant tournament is Valorant Champions 2022. It is the conclusion of the Valorant Champions Tour 2022, with teams qualified from Masters and Last Chance Qualifiers held throughout the year and spreading across regions. This year’s Champions 2022 will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, between August 31, 2022, and September 18, 2022. Like the previous year, this year also, the top 16 teams around the globe will participate in the champions event.
Format for Valorant Champions 2022
Group Stage
The 16 teams at Champions 2022 are divided into four groups, each consisting of 4 teams from different regions, to avoid inter-region clashes at an international event. The games from the group stage will be played in GSL Format.
GSL format consists of a double elimination bracket where a team with two straight wins qualifies further. Lose two, and you face elimination. Thus two teams from each group will qualify for the next stage.
The group division of each team participating in the event are:
Playoffs Format
The eight teams qualifying from the group stage will be seeded randomly into a double elimination GSL style bracket. The management will post this seeding on respective socials during the event. The winner of the double elimination bracket will be crowned as Champions of Valorant Champions 2022.
All the matches will be a “Best of Three (Bo3)” with the exception of games from the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which will be “Best of Five (Bo5).”
Valorant Champions Location
Valorant Champions 2022 will be held in two parts. The initial stage will be held behind closed doors without an audience, while the second half, beginning on September 9, will feature a live audience. Both the halves will be held at VW Arena in İstanbul, Turkey.
Arena Address
Volkswagen Arena, Huzur Mh., Maslak Ayazağa Cd. 4/A, 34396 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Türkiye.
Valorant Champions Schedule and Timings
Valorant Champions will span across 19 Calendar Days. It will include eight days of the group stage, three dark days, and eight days of the playoff.
Group Stage: August 31 – September 8
Playoffs: September 9 – September 18
Dark Days: Sep 6, 14, 15
(Note: During a dark day, there will be no games played at the event)
Timings
The matches will begin at 17:30 IST or 19:30 IST, depending on the number of matches on the given day.
For a day with 2 Matches: 17:30 IST
For a day with 3 Matches: 19:30 IST
Teams Participating at Valorant Champions 2022 (Region Wise)
North America
OpTic Gaming (United States)
The goliaths of North America will be present at the champions 2022 as the first seed from the circuit points accumulated throughout 2022. They are your Valorant Champions Tour Stage 1: Masters Reykjavík champions held back in April.
Moreover, they secured 3rd position at the most recent Stage 2: Masters Copenhagen. They have a stacked lineup with the presence of FNS (IGL), Crashies, Victor, Marved, and their star performer Yay. FNS is a veteran in the FPS gaming world and the current In-Game Leader for Optic Gaming.
XSET (United States)
With a surprising but epic run at Champions Tour, North America Stage 2: Challengers secured Masters 2 slot as the first seed from North America with a convincing 3-1 victory over Optic Gaming. However, they couldn’t continue the same run at the Masters 2 and ended up placing top 8, which indeed resulted in enough circuit points to qualify for Champions 2022. The team of Dephh (IGL), Cryocells, Zekken, Ayrin, and BcJ will represent XSET at Champions.
100 Thieves (United States)
The team holds immense potential after acquiring the services of ddk and Seangares as General Manager and Coach, respectively. They are the First Strike: North America champions, the inaugural event for Valorant esports.
With a decent performance in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of 2022, but an impressive run at Champions Tour North America: Last Chance Qualifier beating The Guard 3-0 in the Grand Finals, securing a spot at champions 2022. The team will be present at champions with the newest addition of Stellar (IGL), Derrek, Will, Bang, and retained star player Asuna.
EMEA
FunPlus Phoenix (Europe)
After failing to appear at Stage 1: Masters Reykjavik due to unfortunate circumstances and the 2nd position at Champions Tour EMEA Stage 2: Challengers, the team finally appeared at its first international event.
With an impressive performance from the substitute SEIDER initially and an unbelievable performance from SUYGETSU supported by ANGE1 (IGL), ardiis, Zyppan, and Shao, they secured the Champions title of Valorant Champions Tour Stage 2: Masters Copenhagen and thus qualifying for Champions 2022 as the first seed from EMEA.
Fnatic (Europe)
Fnatic is known for its culture and discipline, a team with fantastic firepower backed by the star duo of Alfajer and Derke and supported by Boaster (IGL), Enzo, and Mistic. They secured the top 8 position at Masters 1 due to unfortunate circumstances and a rather impressive 4th position at Masters 2 after winning Champions Tour EMEA Stage 2: Challengers securing enough points to qualify for Champions 2022 as the second seed from EMEA. Boaster and Coach Mini are the team’s backbone, empowered with excellent game knowledge.
Team Liquid (Europe)
Team Liquid is a dark horse team with five mechanically skilled players relying on their aim and a few tricks up their sleeves. After a decent outing at Masters 1 but failing to qualify for Masters 2, the team had one last chance left at EMEA: LCQ. They outperformed everyone at the event with their fragging power.
Moreover, beating M3C 3-1 in a fantastic matchup at Champions Tour EMEA: Last Chance Qualifier and secured their spot at Champions 2022 as the third seed from EMEA. This team is blessed with the brothers buff with ScreaM and Nivera, featuring Jamppi (IGL), soulcas, and dimasick.
South America
(Note: Riot treats Brazil and Latam as different regions, but for LCQ slots, they are merged into one event)
LOUD (Brazil)
LOUD is a super team from Brazil, the home of the most passionate fans in the world of FPS gaming. The team was inevitable at their regional championships, and with a strong performance at Masters 1 and Masters 2, they successfully secured their spot at Champions 2022 as the first seed from Brazil. Led by saadhak (IGL), the team is cracked with players like Sacy, pancada, Less and aspas.
FURIA (Brazil)
They failed to qualify for Stage 1 and Stage 2 Masters events, and the Brazilian team Furia had to go through Last Chance Qualifiers. With an impressive run, losing only to KRU Esports and beating TBK Esports in the lower finals at Champions Tour South America: Last Chance Qualifier. Moreover, as the event runner-ups, they secured their slot at Champions 2022 as the second seed from Brazil. The team is led by nzr (IGL) and supported by Quick, Mazin, Khalil, and dgzin.
Leviatán (Chile)
With only one time appearance at Valorant Champions Tour Stage 2: Masters Copenhagen in 2022 but a rather impressive performance, securing the top 6 at the event and accumulating enough circuit points throughout the regional championship to qualify for Champions 2022 as the first seed from LATAM region. This Chile team holds tremendous firepower with the presence of Shyy, Melser, Tacolilla, adverso, and their duelist as well as IGL kiNgg.
KRÜ Esports (Chile)
KRU Esports is a team from Chile representing the LATAM region in Valorant Champions tour and one of the few teams that successfully qualified for every international event held in 2021-2022. However, failing to perform in crucial matches at Masters 1 and Masters 2, they ended up in Champions Tour South America: Last Chance Qualifier. They, furthermore, beat team Furia 3-0 in the upper finals to secure a position at Champions 2022 as the second seed from LATAM. The team is stacked with Klaus (IGL), Mazino, NagZ, delz1k, and the star duelist keznit.
Asia
(Note: Asia includes APAC, Korea, Japan, and China. For LCQ slots, the later three sub-regions are merged into one event known as East Asia LCQ)
Paper Rex (Singapore)
The behemoths of the APAC region are known for their “blink of an eye” executions and a fast playstyle. This team climbed the ranks of valorant esports in 2022 while placing 4th and 2nd at Masters 1 and Masters 2, respectively. The Singaporean team successfully secured their slot at Valorant Champions 2022 as the first seed from APAC. Moreover, the team has one of the most explosive firepowers due to their star duo of f0rsakeN and Jinggg, supported by Benkai (IGL), mindfreak, and d4v41.
XERXIA Esports (Thailand)
The Thai team from APAC, with impressive performances at international events, had convincingly secured their slot at Champions 2022 as the second seed from APAC. They secured top 10 and 12 at Masters 1 and Masters 2, respectively, with their coordinated plays and short callings. The team is stacked with the presence of Sushiboys, Crws, sScary, Surf, and foxz (IGL).
Boom Esports (Indonesia)
Boom Esports are the winners of Champions Tour Asia-Pacific: Last Chance Qualifier and the representative of Indonesia at Valorant Champions 2022 as the third seed from APAC. This will be the team’s first international event since the Valorant Champions Tour’s inaugural. They had a flawless run at the recent LCQ without losing a match and beating ONIC G 3-1 in the Grand Finals. Boom Esports consist of BerserX, Famouz, blaZek1ng, tehbotoL, and IGL fl1pzjder.
DRX (Korea)
Team DRX previously known as Vision Strikers is renowned for their 102 games win streak at the regional championship. It was the longest streak in valorant history. Moreover, they had only failed once to qualify for an international event in mid of 2021 when they lost to Nuturn Gaming at the regional championship.
However, with a decent performance at Masters 1 and Masters 2, they were able to accumulate enough circuit points in Korea. Hence securing their slot for Valorant Champions 2022 as the first seed from East Asia (Korea). Representing the team of DRX at Champions 2022 are stax (IGL), BuZz, Rb, Zest, and MaKo.
ZETA DIVISION (Japan)
Zeta Division is the Japanese representative from East Asia at Champions 2022. Based on the circuit points, they secured their spot as the first seed from East Asia (Japan). This resulted from their impressive run at Stage 1: Masters placing their career-high 3rd position.
However, they failed to qualify for the Stage 2 Masters, losing to Northeption as the regional champions. At Champions 2022, Zeta will have to play with Laz (IGL), SugarZ3ro, crow, Dep, and substitute Xdll. Xdll will be replacing TENNN, as the later player has some illness. However, TENNN will be attending the event for Zeta Division as a substitute, and Xdlll will be in the playing five.
EDward Gaming (China)
The underdogs of Valorant Champions 2022, representing China for the first time at an international valorant event. EDward Gaming secured their position at Champions 2022 as the third seed from East Asia after winning Champions Tour East Asia: Last Chance Qualifier. They won the entire LCQ without losing a single map to any team. The team consists of Life, ZmjjKK, Haodong, CHICHOO, and nobody.
Champions 2022 Streaming platform and On-Air Talent
This year Valorant Champions will be streamed live on Twitch and Youtube in English and other regional languages on their respective channels. The streams will start 1 hour before the official broadcast.
Twitch: twitch.tv/valorant
Youtube: youtube.com/VALORANT Champions Tour
On-Air Talent
The On-Air Talent team is divided into Hosts and Commentators/Analysts. Following are the members of their respective teams:
Hosts
Goldenboy ?? (Alex Mendez)
Yinsu ?? (Yinsu Collins)
Chrissy Costanza ?? (Chrissy Costanza)
Commentators & Analysts
Achilios ?? (Seth King)
Ballatw ?? (Arten Esa)
Bren ?? (Brennon Hook)
EsportsDoug ?? (Doug Cortez)
hypoc ?? (Michael Robins)
Jess ?? (Jessica Bolden)
aEvilcat ?? (Mimi Wermcrantz)
MitchMan ?? (Mitch McBride)
Pansy ? (Lauren Scott)
RyanCentral ? (Ryan Horton)
Sideshow ?? (Josh Wilkinson)
Tombizz ?? (Tom Bissmire)
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