VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025: First Round preview and predictions

With VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025 kicking off on June 7, VALORANT fans across the globe are already neck-deep in Pick’Em brackets, Discord debates, and Twitter timelines full of hot takes. The stakes are high and the field is fierce, featuring a mix of proven contenders, hungry challengers, and teams looking to rewrite their narratives.

Let’s break down the opening round matchups and make some educated predictions for what lies ahead.

Team Heretics vs Paper Rex [June 7, Saturday // 6 pm CET | 9 am PT]

Kicking off Masters Toronto is perhaps the most compelling storyline matchup of the opening round - Team Heretics versus Paper Rex. Both of these organizations have come heartbreakingly close to glory in the past year, only to fall short when it mattered most. Heretics reached back-to-back grand finals at VCT 2024 - Masters Shanghai and VCT 2024 - Champions 2024, only to finish runners-up on both occasions. Paper Rex, meanwhile, have gone from title contenders to unpredictable wildcards, missing out on VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025 and struggling to find consistency.

Heretics’ journey in 2025 began on the wrong foot, missing out on Bangkok. But their second-place finish in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1 shows they're still a top-tier squad. The trio of Benjy "benjyfishy" David Fish, Mert "Wo0t" Alkan, and Dominykas "MiniBoo" Lukasevicius continues to shine, with IGL Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius steering the ship with a steady hand.

Paper Rex, on the other hand, are back on the international stage, but not without turbulence. The addition of Patrick "PatMen" Mendoza adds more chaos to an already aggressive style, while the constant roster shuffling between him and Aaron "mindfreak" Leonhart keeps opponents guessing. With Jason "f0rsakeN" Susanto, Ilya "something" Petrov, and Wang "Jinggg" Jing Jie still firing on all cylinders, Paper Rex’s firepower can’t be underestimated. But their instability could cost them in a tight series.

Prediction: Team Heretics 2-1 Paper Rex

Heretics’ structure and experience edge out PRX’s raw firepower in what promises to be a chaotic, must-watch opener.

Bilibili Gaming vs Team Liquid [June 7, Saturday // 9 pm CET | 12 pm PT]

This marks the first-ever international meeting between Bilibili Gaming and Team Liquid, and it could be a deceptively close contest. Bilibili, while no stranger to the global stage, are making their first Masters appearance after a strong domestic campaign. Despite falling short in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Stage 1 finals, the team - led by duelist star Wang "whzy" Haozhe - earned their spot with strong teamwork and clutch performances from players like Wang "rushia" Xiaojie and Yuxiang "Knight" Liu.

However, their international track record is shaky. Their loss to DRX at the HERO ESPORTS Asian Champions League 2025 raised eyebrows about their ability to stand up to top-tier competition. That said, they’ve had time to prep, and their underdog spirit remains alive.

Liquid, meanwhile, are back on the Masters stage after a long absence from the podium. Their recent form has been strong, until it wasn’t. The announcement that IGL and star player Ayaz "nAts" Akhmetshin may miss the event due to visa issues is a massive blow. In his place, Erik "penny" Penny will step in. A solid player, but one who hasn’t played at this level in years. The pressure now falls on Georgio "Keiko" Sanassy, Patryk "paTiTek" Fabrowski, and Maikls "SerialKiller" Ždanovs to carry the load.

Prediction: Team Liquid 2-0 Bilibili Gaming

Despite the roster shake-up, Liquid’s international experience and composure give them a clean win over a talented but inexperienced BLG.

Sentinels vs Wolves [June 8, Sunday // 6 pm CET | 9 am PT]

The second day of competition opens with one of the most lopsided matches - at least on paper. Sentinels, the only team in history to win two Masters titles, face off against Wolves Esports, a Chinese squad making their first-ever international appearance.

Sentinels’ year has been a rollercoaster, as their last-place finish in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025 was a harsh reality check. With Tyson "TenZ" Ngo and Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi from their last Masters winning squad now retired, the new lineup featuring Sean "bang" Bezerra and Marshall "N4RRATE" Massey hasn’t found its footing yet despite their decent results. Still, players like Zachary "zekken" Patrone and Amine "Johnqt" Ouarid continue to perform at a world-class level, and the team remains a threat regardless of recent stumbles.

Wolves, by contrast, are the definition of a team on the rise. Once a bottom-dwelling squad in VCT CN, their sudden surge to third place in 2025 came with balanced contributions across the roster. Tyler "juicy" Aeria stands out as a rising star, but the team’s strength lies in its cohesion.

This matchup feels like a test of experience versus momentum.

Prediction: Sentinels 2-0 Wolves

Wolves may be the feel-good story, but Sentinels’ veteran presence and firepower should see them through with minimal fuss.

Gen.G vs MIBR [June 8, Sunday // 9 pm CET | 12 pm PT]

The final opening round match might just be the most intriguing. On one side, Gen.G Esports - VCT 2024 - Masters Shanghai champions and arguably one of the best Pacific teams in 2025. On the other, MIBR - a rejuvenated Americas squad boasting big names and a hunger to prove they belong.

Gen.G come in hot, riding the momentum of a solid Stage 1 showing and led by a red-hot Kim "t3xture" Na-ra. His carry performances have made him one of the most feared duelists in the game. While their supporting cast can sometimes go quiet, they tend to show up when it matters most.

MIBR, meanwhile, have clawed their way back from irrelevance, finishing third in nearly every event they’ve entered this year. While Erick "aspas" Santos is clearly the star, newcomer Andrew "Verno" Maust has added another layer to the team’s attack. Together, they form one of the most lethal duos in the Americas right now.

This one is hard to call, Gen.G have the pedigree, MIBR have the fire.

Prediction: Gen.G 2-1 MIBR

Expect fireworks, but Gen.G’s structure and big-game experience might just edge them past a dangerous MIBR side.

Final Thoughts

The opening matches of VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025 promise a brilliant mix of potential upsets, redemption arcs, and breakout performances. From storied franchises to rising stars, every matchup tells a different story, and the road to lifting the trophy begins right here.

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