VALORANT Challengers, the second tier of competitive VALORANT Esports, is set to receive a number of changes in the APAC region for the 2025 season. These changes will alter the structure of the VALORANT APAC Challengers League and bring in VCT Academy teams, creating a new path for emerging talent. Here is a breakdown of what is in store.
What’s New in the 2025 VALORANT APAC Challengers League?
The VCT Ascension Pacific in the 2024 season featured the top teams from ten regional APAC Challengers leagues; Sin Para Gaming defeated Boom Esports to qualify for the VCT 2025. However, after the tournament, Riot Games suggested changes to the league’s structure to enhance the competitive scene in APAC.
A recent Riot Games press release unveiled the first big change: the inclusion of academy teams. This new structure will enable each VCT Pacific organization to have an academy roster that will compete in their respective Challengers League. With the help of academy teams, organizations can develop young talents and give them competitive experience at the league level, all within the Challengers framework.
Note: Academy teams will not be allowed to compete for a spot in VCT Ascension. Riot Games released a statement on the academy program:
“This change will enable our partnered teams to identify, evaluate and nurture talents for their respective teams. At the same time, this also provides young talents more chances to become part of the partnered organizations.”
The Following VCT Pacific Teams Will Field Academy Teams in the 2025 Season:
- Challengers Korea: DRX, Gen.G, T1
- Challengers Japan: Zeta Division, DFM
- Challengers Southeast Asia: RRQ, Talon, Team Secret
- Challengers South Asia: Global Esports
These nine partnered teams will receive direct promotion to their respective regional Challengers leagues for the 2025 season.
The 2025 Calendar: More Matches, More Opportunities
In 2024, each VALORANT Challengers league was split into two competitive splits, with the top team from the second split qualifying for VCT Ascension Pacific. The league will be divided further into three splits by 2025, giving teams more chances to play.
The third split will conclude with VCT Ascension 2025, planned for October. This added split aims to keep players active during the season, avoiding long breaks that have previously affected the scene.
Additionally, after VCT Ascension Pacific 2025, there will be a fourth split of VALORANT Challengers tournaments and off-season events, maintaining a regular competitive schedule and reducing wait times for players and fans alike.
Through these changes, Riot Games is building a more dynamic, talent-focused APAC for 2025, offering new opportunities for rising players to climb the ranks of competitive VALORANT and keeping the region’s audience engaged all year long.
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