VALORANT Champions Paris closes the VCT calendar, however Riot and the Challengers ecosystem preserve the stress on: VCT Ascension 2025 kicks off nearly instantly, providing the perfect non-partner squads one final shot at a partnership league berth for 2026. Operating from October 11–26, Ascension 2025 spans 4 main areas — China, Pacific, Americas, and EMEA — every providing its personal path to glory.
The 4 regional Ascension occasions are staggered throughout October and differ in measurement and stakes — some areas will ship two groups up, some just one: for Americas and China, just one slot is out there since G2 and XLG certified for Champions. Within the case of XLG, their win over Sentinels ensured they have been those to retain the slot over DRG, who additionally reached Paris however completed with a worse placement.
VCT Ascension China 2025
- Dates: October 11–19, 2025
- Slots to Associate League: 1
- Prize Pool: ¥1,000,000 CNY (about $140,000 USD)
- Location: Shanghai, China
| Crew | Qualification Route |
|---|---|
| Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) | Relegated from VCT China |
| Uncommon Atom (RA) | NC Circuit Factors #1 |
| Chosen Clique Gaming (CCG) | NC Circuit Factors #2 |
| Zhu Chao Gaming (ZCG) | NC Circuit Factors #3 |
| Octagonal Disposition Gaming (ODG) | NC Circuit Factors #4 |
| Bold Legend Gaming (ALG) | NC Circuit Factors #6 |
| Any Questions Gaming (AQ) | NC Circuit Factors #11 |
| Thunder Gaming (TG) | NC Circuit Factors #11 |
China’s Ascension occasion options eight high home rosters in a battle for one golden ticket again to the worldwide stage. Dragon Ranger Gaming, 2024’s Ascension winners, will likely be combating for redemption after their relegation, hoping to reclaim their spot within the partnered league. In the meantime, Uncommon Atom enter as the highest seed by way of circuit factors, and Chosen Clique Gaming look to show their consistency from the Nationwide Circuit season. The variety of playstyles and the rise of latest expertise guarantees an exhilarating conflict.
VCT Ascension Pacific 2025
- Dates: October 14–26, 2025
- Slots to VCT Pacific: 2
- Prize Pool: $100,000 USD
- Location: Samut Prakan, Thailand
| Crew | Subregion / Nation | Qualification Route |
|---|---|---|
| Nongshim RedForce (NS) | Korea | Relegated from VCT Pacific |
| BOOM Esports (BME) | SEA (Indonesia) | Relegated from VCT Pacific |
| Motiv Esports (MTV) | SEA (Philippines) | Challengers SEA Circuit Factors |
| FULL SENSE (FS) | SEA (Thailand) | Challengers SEA Circuit Factors |
| NAOS Esports (NAOS) | SEA (Philippines) | Challengers SEA Circuit Factors |
| Crew NKT (NKT) | SEA (Thailand) | Challengers SEA Circuit Factors |
| SLT (SLT) | Korea | Challengers Korea Champions |
| Velocity Gaming (VLT) | South Asia (India) | Challengers South Asia Champions |
| E-KING (KING) | Oceania | Challengers Oceania Champions |
| Riddle Order (RID) | Japan | Challengers Japan Champions |
The Pacific Ascension occasion is the most important of the 4, with two promotion slots up for grabs and ten of Asia’s best challengers taking the stage. Nongshim RedForce lead Korea’s cost, decided to retain their VCT Pacific slot: this was the identical core that received Ascension final 12 months underneath Sin Prisa Gaming.
BOOM Esports, FULL SENSE, and NAOS Esports convey SEA’s firepower, whereas Velocity Gaming goals to lastly safe South Asia’s first-ever VCT partnership slot after years of heartbreak. Riddle Order, Japan’s consultant, may very well be a darkish horse with their mechanical prowess and tactical unpredictability. With two slots open, count on fierce rivalries and storylines that might reshape the Pacific hierarchy.
VCT Ascension Americas 2025
- Dates: October 14–26, 2025
- Slots to VCT Americas: 1
- Prize Pool: $100,000 USD
- Location: São Paulo, Brazil
| Crew | Subregion | Qualification Route |
|---|---|---|
| TSM | North America | Challengers NA Champions |
| ENVY | North America | Challengers NA runner-up |
| 9z Crew (9ZG) | LATAM | Challengers LATAM Champions |
| Shinden (SHI) | LATAM | Challengers LATAM Factors |
| Stellae Gaming (STE) | Brazil | Challengers BR Champions |
| Crew Stable (TSS) | Brazil | Challengers BR Factors |
| Winthrop College (WU) | North America | Play-ins: want to position high two |
| Six Karma (6K) | LATAM | Play-ins: want to position high two |
| RED Canids (RED) | Brazil | Play-ins: want to position high two |
Just one slot awaits within the Americas, making it probably the most cutthroat of the 4 Ascension tournaments, because of G2 retaining their slot due to their qualification for Champions. Conventional organizations like TSM and ENVY look to re-establish their dominance, whereas 9z Crew and Six Karma symbolize Latin America’s unyielding ambition to problem NA’s hierarchy.’
The play-ins imply that solely two of WU, 6K or RED can qualify: this will likely be determined by a single round-robin format.
Brazil’s RED Canids and Stellae Gaming add native aptitude, aiming to reclaim the slot that fellow Brazilian crew 2G received final 12 months. With NRG’s current world championship victory at Champions Paris, the Americas area is extra impressed than ever and these challengers are determined to maintain that legacy alive.
VCT Ascension EMEA 2025
- Dates: October 18–26, 2025
- Slots to VCT EMEA: 2
- Prize Pool: €100,000 EUR
- Location: Berlin, Germany
| Crew | Subregion | Qualification Route |
|---|---|---|
| ULF Esports (ULF) | Turkey | Challengers TR Champions |
| BBL PCIFIC (BCF) | Turkey | Challengers TR runner-up |
| Twisted Minds (TWS) | MENA | Challengers MENA Champions |
| Enterprise Esports (EP) | Northern Europe | Challengers NE Champions |
| Necessary (MDR) | France | Challengers France Champions |
| DNSTY (DSY) | Spain | Challengers Spain Champions |
| FOKUS (FKS) | DACH | Challengers DACH Champions |
| Joblife (JL) | France | Changed Crew Raad |
Europe’s Ascension occasion is brimming with status, with two partnership slots and a loaded lineup that includes the perfect of Turkey, MENA, and Western Europe. Necessary and Enterprise Esports are available as fan favorites after stellar home runs, whereas ULF and BBL PCIFIC headline a Turkish scene identified for producing world-class aimers.
A notable late change noticed Joblife change Crew Raad as a result of non-compliance of crew possession insurance policies, a twist that provides intrigue to France’s already aggressive displaying. With EMEA being house to powerhouse organizations like Fnatic and Crew Heretics, each crew right here will likely be keen to affix their ranks in VCT EMEA.
VCT 2026 on the Horizon
The VCT Ascension 2025 collection guarantees not solely thrilling regional storylines but additionally the crowning of 4 new worldwide groups that may be part of the partnered leagues subsequent season. With the inclusion of returning challengers like Dragon Ranger Gaming and rising abilities throughout all continents, the combat for promotion has by no means been fiercer.
From Shanghai to São Paulo, from Berlin to Bangkok, Ascension 2025 will determine the way forward for Valorant’s international aggressive ecosystem — and the subsequent wave of stars able to redefine the sport.
