Road to Riyadh: The qualifiers for the VALORANT Esports World Cup (EWC)

As the EWC VALORANT - Esports World Cup 2025 looms on the horizon, the global qualifying race is reaching its boiling point. With $1.2 million USD and international glory on the line, sixteen teams will make their way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to battle it out for one of the most prestigious titles of the year. While half the slots have already been filled by top-tier VCT contenders, the remaining eight are still up for grabs through intense regional qualifiers.

In this article, we'll explore the different paths teams can take to qualify for the VALORANT Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Eight Titans Already Crowned

The EWC is an independent event in the broader esports landscape. But just like the other divisions, a few teams have qualified from Riot's own VCT circuit. The top two teams from each region get a direct qualification to the EWC. These teams are:

• Americas: G2 Esports, Sentinels
• China: XLG Esports, Bilibili Gaming
• EMEA: Fnatic, Team Heretics
• Pacific: Rex Regum Qeon, Gen.G Esports

Apart from these eight teams, the other eight will have to qualify via regional qualifier tournaments.

China Completes Its Lineup

China has already finalized its full EWC representation. Through the VALORANT China Evolution Series Act 2 x Asian Champions League, EDward Gaming and Titan Esports Club claimed their tickets to Riyadh by finishing 1st and 2nd respectively.

Americas Qualifiers:

The EWC VALORANT - Esports World Cup 2025: Americas Qualifier is the only one where a team is missing from the qualifiers. With LOUD unable to participate due to visa issues, the following four of the nine remaining teams remain in contention:

• Playoff Direct Invites: MIBR, Evil Geniuses
• Group Stage Survivors: 100 Thieves, NRG

These teams will face off in a double-elimination playoff bracket:

• MIBR vs NRG - May 23, 12 pm PT | 9 pm CET
• Evil Geniuses vs 100 Thieves - May 23, 3 pm PT | May 24, 12 am CET

The winners of these matches will battle in the Upper Bracket Final on May 24, with the victor securing a direct EWC spot. The last chance for qualification will be the Lower Bracket Final on May 25.

• Upper Bracket Final - May 24, 12 pm PT | 9 pm CET
• Lower Bracket Final - May 25, 12 pm PT | 9 pm CET

EMEA Qualifiers:

The EWC VALORANT - Esports World Cup 2025 - EMEA Qualifier mirror the Americas format, with Team Liquid and BBL Esports entering the playoffs directly. They’re joined by Karmine Corp and FUT Esports, both of whom emerged from a grueling group stage:

• Team Liquid vs FUT Esports - May 23, 3 am PT | 12 pm CET
• BBL Esports vs Karmine Corp - May 23, 6 am PT | 3 pm CET

Like in the Americas, the winners will face off on May 24 for one EWC slot, with the Lower Bracket Final on May 25 determining the second qualifier.

• Upper Bracket Final - May 24, 3 am PT | 12 pm CET
• Lower Bracket Final - May 25, 3 am PT | 12 pm CET

Pacific Qualifiers:

The Pacific region’s road to Riyadh is unique. In the EWC VALORANT - Asian Champions League 2025: Pacific Qualifier, a Round-Robin group stage determined the final four: Paper Rex and Global Esports from Group A, and DRX and Team Secret from Group B.

• Paper Rex vs Team Secret - May 23, 11 pm PT | May 24, 8 am CET
• DRX vs Global Esports - May 24, 2 am PT | 11 am CET

Winners of these semifinals will punch their tickets to the EWC, but the Grand Final on May 25 (11 pm PT | May 24, 8 am CET) will determine group stage seeding in Riyadh.

The Final Countdown

With ten spots already locked in and six more up for grabs, the next few days will be a whirlwind of elite competition and high-stakes drama. As the qualifiers reach their final stages, fans across the globe are bracing for the intense action that will shape the VALORANT Esports World Cup.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games/Edited by THESPIKE.GG