VALORANT Masters Shanghai: A Milestone Tournament Adopting a Format Used by Competitors
This year’s highly anticipated VALORANT Masters Shanghai event is set to break new ground in multiple ways. Not only will it be the first-ever VCT event held in China, but it will also take place at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Arena, the largest venue ever for a VALORANT tournament. Adding to its significance, Masters Shanghai will introduce players to a brand new map. However, what truly sets this tournament apart is the implementation of the Swiss system format for the first time in VALORANT history.
The Swiss stage format is a well-established tournament structure where teams are matched up against each other in each round based on their initial seedings. Teams with the same record will compete against each other, ensuring fair matchups throughout the tournament. As the rounds progress, teams will face off against opponents who have similar records until a team either advances or gets eliminated based on their wins and losses.
However, Masters Shanghai will introduce a unique twist to the Swiss stage, adding an exciting incentive for teams to perform their best right from the start. The four top seeds, representing winners from each regional league, will have the power to choose their opponents, giving them control over their path in the tournament, as hinted by VALORANT esports’ global head, Leo Faria. While this premise is yet to be officially confirmed, it suggests that stage one playoff winners from VCT leagues will secure a direct spot in the Shanghai playoffs.
Although the Swiss system is not new to esports, it has been notably successful in major Counter-Strike tournaments for several years. However, in VALORANT, the playoff seeding for Masters Shanghai will not be determined solely by the teams’ Buchholz Scores, which evaluate the quality of their opponents during the Swiss stage.
Currently, the VCT leagues for Americas, EMEA, and China are in the process of finalizing the teams that will qualify for Masters Shanghai. Fans are eagerly awaiting the group draw scheduled for May 12, which will reveal the exciting opening matches of the tournament.