The stage is set as the top three teams from each International League prepare to battle for the VALORANT Masters Toronto trophy. It will be the second international event of the year and could decide the first few teams advancing to VALORANT Champions Paris.
Masters Toronto will follow a format similar to Masters Bangkok, except that the top seeds from each region will receive a direct bye to the playoffs. From Paper Rex making a return to a Masters event after a year to EDward Gaming missing its first-ever, Toronto promises to be an event full of excitement.
G2 and PRX Get Another Shot at the Trophy
G2 Esports has been one of the most consistent teams in VCT ever since the team entered the circuit through Ascension. The organisation has won back-to-back Americas events in 2025, but despite being one of the top contenders, it has yet to lift a Masters trophy.
However, G2’s IGL Jacob ‘valyn’ Batio and coach Josh ‘JoshRT’ Lee are masters at adjusting strategies based on the situation and their opponents. When combined with the synergy the team showcases during matches, Masters Toronto will be a golden opportunity for them to lift their first VCT international trophy.
“Let’s go to Toronto and win that sh—t,” said valyn in the VCT Americas Stage 1 winners’ interview.
“We were so close to Bangkok trophy, unlucky right? But this split here is going to solidify the rest of the season for us,” Alexander ‘jawgemo’ Mor added.
Similarly, Paper Rex fans have been eagerly waiting for the moment when its players finally grab an international trophy, despite it being one of the oldest and strongest teams in the scene.
The organisation had a rough start to 2025 VCT Pacific Stage 1; however, has gained the momentum needed. While the road ahead will be extremely challenging, it will be interesting to see if PRX can give its fans the ultimate gift of an international trophy during the org’s fifth anniversary year.
Brutal Swiss Battles Set the Stage for New Storylines
The Swiss Stage matchups at VALORANT Masters Toronto will be among the most exciting ones we have seen in a while. The event will kick off with a nail-biting clash between Team Heretics and Paper Rex, followed by Bilibili Gaming vs. Team Liquid. On day two, Wolves Esports will make its Masters debut, but its very first challenge will be against the giants, Sentinels.
“We hold this current roster in a very high regard at least in if you talk about raw mechanical skill. As for Sentinels, we are very excited to play them as our first opponent not just for me but for Wolves as an org too,” Sushant ‘Ominous’ Jha Gunter, analyst for Wolves Esports, shared with ESI.
“The analyst for SEN I have known him for a while now and is going to fun playing against him finally. As for our expectation I hope to at least make playoffs and solidify our standing to qualify for Champions Paris,” he added.
Apart from this, despite winning Ascension Pacific 2023, Tyler ‘juicy’ Aeria made his VCT debut after two years. He led the team to an international event in his very first season, with the highest ACS of all teammates.
“Qualifying for Masters really means a lot to me because I have waited very long for this opportunity and I will do my best with the opportunity that I am given,” said juicy.
One of the best duelists in the world, Erick ‘aspas’ Santos, will also be returning to the international stage with MIBR after missing Masters Bangkok. The team has improved massively in Stage 1, making its matchup against Gen.G worth watching.
Fnatic Eyes new Record as XLG and RRQ Aim to Rewrite the Script
Fnatic currently shares the record with Sentinels for the most VCT international event wins. However, the team has struggled on the global stage over the past year and had a rocky start in the 2025 season as well. Fnatic has once again found its footing to win VCT EMEA Stage 1 and if the org maintains the momentum, it has a chance of setting a new record.
Xi Lai Gaming and Rex Regum Qeon, on the other hand, stunned the world with their dominance in Stage 1, defeating Bilibili and Gen.G respectively to win their regional tournaments and qualify for their first-ever Masters event. With a direct bye to the playoffs, similar to Fnatic and G2 Esports, this is a crucial opportunity for both teams to make a lasting impression in front of an international audience.
