VCT 2023 to encompass Challengers Ascension, Regional & International Leagues

As we near the end of VCT 2022 with the commencement of VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul being only a few days away, Riot Games has announced initial details regarding the upcoming season. This article will help you navigate the announcement by exploring key takeaways.

Revamped Challenger Ecosystem

As you might be aware, the current structure of VCT features three different tournament categories: Challengers, Masters and Champions. In VCT 2023, the Challenger category will encompass a total of 21 regional leagues, as shown in the figure above, around the world to further the opportunities for new talent. Leagues will start with open qualifiers placing the top teams into two splits of regular season play over several weeks.

Each of the two Splits will conclude with a Playoffs tournament with a single team emerging as the Leagues Champion. To provide greater exposure to deserving talent, reputable Challenger leagues will receive broadcast windows scheduled to avoid conflicts with international league matches.

Challengers Ascension and International League

Following the culmination of Regional League splits, a new event series will be conducted in each of the three territories named the Challengers Ascension allowing teams from Regional Leagues to fight for a spot at the International Leagues since the winners of these events from each territory will be given a two-year promotion into the international leagues granting them a chance to compete against teams from other territories during the VCT season.

Moreover, they will also receive similar league benefits, and an equal chance to qualify into Masters and Champions. After two years, teams will lose their promotion status and will compete in Challengers and Ascension events to earn their way back.

On the horizon

According to Riot, developers behind Valorant are focused on integrating the Ranked system directly into the VCT and by 2024 top teams emerging from this system will potentially be able to qualify directly from the game into Challenger events. Further details and specifics of this integration will be available to the community later this year. Furthermore, Riot also plans on releasing details about each region’s open qualifiers, Challenger schedule, and the Ascension tournaments.