Back with a bang: DRG wins Ascension 2025

Dragon Ranger Gaming is back in the VCT China league after winning VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Ascension China 2025. DRG was one of the top teams in China throughout the 2025 season, representing the region on the biggest stage of the year at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions. Despite a solid showing throughout the year, DRG had to exit the VCT following Champs and returned to Ascension. Now, after reclaiming the title, DRG is making a comeback in VCT China 2026.

Heartbreaking exit from the VCT

Since both XLG Esports and DRG were promoted through Ascension, only one team got to keep its spot going into 2026. Usually, the Ascension team that qualifies for Champs is guaranteed to keep their spot, but since both DRG and XLG made it to Champions Paris, the team with the worse finish had to exit VCT. Unfortunately for DRG, that was them.

However, qualifying for Champs wasn’t for nothing as DRG returned to Ascension instead of dropping all the way back to the Challengers League. That meant they still had a shot at reclaiming the final slot in VCT 2026 without having to sit out a full year.

The Ascension Journey

DRG’s Ascension run started hot, going unbeaten in the group stage. Things got shaky in the playoffs after a loss in their opening match, forcing them into the lower bracket. The Lower Final against Any Questions Gaming was a nail-biter, but DRG came out on top to set up a Grand Final clash against Rare Atom.

Rare Atom has a rough history in Ascension Grand Finals, falling short every year since 2023, and 2025 was no different. DRG came in dominant, securing a clean victory and locking in their return to the VCT.

VCT China 2026 locked in

With DRG officially back, the VCT China 2026 roster of teams is locked and loaded. The stage is set for another explosive season and DRG are coming back hot to show that they are still one of China’s strongest teams.

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Featured image credit: Riot Games.