VALORANT Premier, Riot Games’ in-game grassroots path-to-pro system, will commence its qualification system for entry into the VALORANT Champions Tour in January.
Earlier this year, it was announced that VALORANT Premier will have a direct link into VCT Challengers, VALORANT’s tier-two ecosystem. Now, further details about how players can qualify for Challengers have been revealed.
Riot Games’ first Premier qualification system, set to begin with VALORANT Episode 8, will undergo a transitional phase that requires teams to be ranked Immortal 3 or higher to gain ‘Contender’ status. Teams will also need to qualify for Premier Contender — the mode’s highest in-game competition — to attempt qualification for VCT Challengers.
Prior to Premier Contender, eligible teams can compete in the Challengers Open Qualifier for promotion into 2024 VCT Challenger leagues. Following this, teams that do not qualify for Challengers can compete in the first stage of Premier Contender.
It’s worth highlighting that the second stage, the Premier Contender Play-Offs, set for the end of April, will qualify teams for the Challengers Promotion and Relegation tournament.
Exact details such as how many teams will qualify for VALORANT’s Challenger tournament has not been disclosed. Moreover, Riot Games has noted that specifics regarding Challengers qualification may vary by region.
Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects is which players are eligible to compete in Premier Contender. Alongside the ranked requirement, participants from VALORANT Game Changers are eligible to compete in teams. However, players who are a part of a Challenger or International League roster are ineligible.
After launching worldwide earlier this year, VALROANT’s Premier game mode looks to further connect the game to its esports ecosystem. The mode looks to bolster the esports’ grassroots scene, which has primarily been built through third-party tournaments and collegiate/scholastic initiatives.
In 2024, Riot Games is looking to revamp its VCT ecosystem following its inaugural season under its partner team model. Alongside integrating Premier, the title has revamped its Challengers scene and will introduce an International League for China.
