TSM announces departure from VALORANT esports

TSM has officially announced its departure from the VALORANT competitive ecosystem, marking the end of their half-decade journey within Riot Games' FPS title. The North American organization, renowned for its early and dedicated investment in the scene, confirmed the news via a statement on X, stating there was “no immediate return in sight.”

The announcement follows their heartbreaking second-place finish at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Ascension Americas – a result that dashed their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 VCT Americas League after years of steadily improving performance.

In their farewell statement, TSM expressed gratitude to Riot Games for ongoing attempts to restructure Tier-2 esports, and to the players and fans who made their five-year journey possible. Despite the ups and downs, the organization highlighted its utmost commitment to making supporters proud, even as the turbulent realities of the ecosystem forced a difficult decision.

A Legacy Built Across Five Years

Since joining in 2020, TSM consistently contributed to the growth of North American VALORANT. The organization pioneered co-streaming culture by pushing for permissions that allowed Myth, their star content creator, to host watch parties – a now-standard practice in the esport. Beyond their main lineup, TSM also fielded an academy team and was among the first organizations to sign a Game Changers roster, demonstrating a strong commitment to developing talent across all tiers.

Throughout their tenure, TSM boasted a memorable roster of fan favorites, including players like Sean "bang" Bezerra, Braxton "Brax" Pierce, Daniel "Rossy" Abedrabbo, Yassine "Subroza" Taoufik, Matthew "WARDELL" Yu , and Nicholas "NaturE" Garrison, alongside coaches like Chet "Chet" Singh and Dimitar "Itopata" Staev. These figures contributed to TSM’s lasting cultural impact, with moments such as the “Subroza” callout on Ascent cementing the org’s place in VALORANT folklore.

The financial and competitive challenges of sustaining a Tier-2 program in the VALORANT landscape ultimately proved unsustainable, despite TSM’s dedicated efforts and gradual improvements in results.

TSM has spent the majority of its VALORANT existence competing within the Tier-2 ecosystem, navigating the Challengers circuit and working tirelessly towards the coveted Tier-1 status. Their performance reached its peak with a Grand Finals appearance at VCT Ascension Americas 2025, but falling just short of promotion led to an inevitable reassessment of the org’s future.

Speculation on TSM’s Future

Rumors have emerged suggesting TSM may be considering a shift to Riot’s flagship title, League of Legends, with reports that the organization could look to acquire 100 Thieves’ spot in the LCS. However, these plans remain unconfirmed and TSM’s immediate future is still uncertain.

TSM’s departure marks the end of an era for North American VALORANT, as one of the scene’s most iconic organizations steps away after years of passionate involvement. While their run fell just short of Tier-1 triumph, their influence and cultural legacy within VALORANT esports will not be forgotten.

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Featured Image Source: TSM/@TSM on X