Riot Announces VALORANT Partnered Teams for VCT International Leagues in 2023
Riot has officially revealed the list of partnered teams for the VCT international leagues in 2023, marking an exciting time for VALORANT esports worldwide. After receiving hundreds of applications, Riot selected 30 teams, with 10 teams per league across the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific regions.
The Americas league will feature the following teams: 100T, Sentinels, Cloud9, NRG, Evil Geniuses, FURIA, LOUD, MIBR, KRÜ Esports, and Leviatán. The EMEA league will consist of Fnatic, Team Vitality, Team Liquid, Karmine Corp, Team Heretics, KOI, Giants, NAVI, FUT Esports, and BBL Esports. The Pacific league will include ZETA DIVISION, DetonatioN Gaming, Gen.G, T1, DRX, Team Secret, Paper Rex, Rex Regum Qeon, Talon Esports, and Global Esports.
While the partnered teams are significant, it’s equally important to note the organizations that did not secure a VCT partnership. Out of the six international VCT tournament winners from 2021 and 2022, only two made it to the partnership list.
Organizations that Did Not Secure VCT Partnership
OpTic Gaming
OpTic Gaming has been a notable snub, despite having an impressive roster that consistently finished in the top three of all three international VCT events throughout the year. This renowned esports brand will not be partnered in the upcoming year, and some of their players are already exploring opportunities as unrestricted free agents.
TSM
TSM, a flagship member of the Riot ecosystem, surprisingly did not secure a partnership. Although their VALORANT division didn’t achieve the same level of success as in late 2020, TSM remains a strong brand with a women’s team, an academy team, and a dedicated commitment to the game. TSM was one of the first organizations to publicly announce its VCT application, but its owner, Reginald, is currently under probation from Riot.
XSET
XSET, a consistent figure in the NA VALORANT scene, will also not be a part of the VCT partnership next year. Sources suggest that the roster intends to stay together and continue competing in VCT.
G2 Esports
G2 Esports initially reported to have secured a spot in the Americas league, ready to compete with a North American roster. However, Riot reversed its decision due to controversies involving G2 owner Carlos and his public association with controversial figure Andrew Tate.
Ninjas in Pyjamas
NiP, one of Brazil’s biggest names in VALORANT, also did not make it into the partnership. They moved their VALORANT division to Brazil a year ago and achieved regional success, including qualification for Masters Reykjavík 2022.
EMEA
FPX
FPX, considered the top EMEA roster in 2022, did not secure a partnership in either the EMEA or Pacific league. The organization is now open to offers for its VALORANT roster in the upcoming year.
Acend
Acend, the first-ever world champions, will also not be partnered in 2023. Acend rose to prominence with their breakout VALORANT roster in 2021, culminating in a championship victory at Champions 2021.
Asia/Pacific
EDward Gaming
Despite a dominant performance in the rapidly growing Chinese scene and an impressive showing at Champions 2022, EDward Gaming did not secure a partnership for 2023. It’s worth noting that no Chinese organizations are involved in the partnered leagues either.
XERXIA
XERXIA, a consistent force in the APAC VALORANT scene, will not be participating in the partnered league next year. The core of XERXIA, formerly known as X10, has qualified for all but one of the six international VCT events over the past two years.
BOOM Esports
Surprisingly, BOOM Esports, a well-known esports organization in Indonesia, will not be representing its country in the Asia/Pacific league next year.
VALORANT, VCT, Riot, partnered teams, esports, international leagues