VCT Americas 2025 Stage 1 Playoffs: Schedule, Format, Opening Matchups, and More

The Group Stage at the VCT 2025 - Americas Stage 1 has drawn to a close, and its time for the eight remaining teams to head for the last stage of the tournament. Starting Thursday, April 24, the Playoffs kick off to decide who will lift the Stage 1 trophy, as well as which three teams will represent the Americas at the next step of international competition: VCT 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025.

Format recap

• Top 4 teams from each group have qualified for the Playoffs
• #1 team from each group receives a bye to the Upper Bracket Semifinals
• #4 team from each group is placed straight into the Lower Bracket
• All matches are Bo3, except for the Lower Bracket Finals and the Grand Finals, which are Bo5 instead
• Last 3 teams remaining in the Playoffs qualify for Masters Toronto

Teams

• KRÜ Esports
• G2 Esports
• Sentinels
• MIBR
• 100 Thieves
• Cloud9
• Evil Geniuses
• NRG

After a flawless run through the Group Stage, G2 Esports look poised to lift yet another trophy in the Americas. At these playoffs, however, MIBR, KRÜ, Sentinels, and Cloud9 look like the team's biggest threat on their way to the title.

After coming so close to glory at VCT 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025, can G2 book their ticket to Toronto and get it done on the international stage this time around?

Opening matchups

MIBR vs 100 Thieves [Thursday, April 24 - 2 pm PT]

With Erick "aspas" Santos and Andrew "Verno" Maust leading the team, MIBR have quickly grown into one of the most fearsome squads in the Americas. Though the Playoffs may prove to be a whole different beast, MIBR should have the edge over a 100 Thieves team that is packed with experience, yet appears to lack the firepower to contend with the best.

Sentinels vs Cloud9 [Thursday, April 24 - 5 pm PT]

An absolutely stellar matchup to draw the first day of Playoffs to a close. Prepare to watch two of the region's finest duelists go toe to toe when Zachary "zekken" Patrone and Francis "OXY" Hoang take the stage. Though Cloud9 has been on the rise, even pushing G2 to the brink during their Group Stage bout, Sentinels will be eager to prove they're still the second best team in the Americas, and it all starts with a win over C9.

Schedule and Key Dates

• The Playoffs kick off on Thursday, April 24
• The first match of the day will always start at 2 pm PT
• The Lower Bracket Final on Friday, May 2, will decide the final Americas team that will attend Masters Toronto
• The Grand Finals will take place on Sunday, May 4, starting at 2 pm PT

Masters in the making

Though any team at these Playoffs will be eager to get their hands on the trophy, the real prize lies in booking a spot at Masters Toronto. Eight teams will enter the VCT Americas Stage 1 Playoffs, but only three will continue on their way to Canada once all is said and done.

After G2's showing in Bangkok earlier in the year, the Americas has not felt this close to an international trophy in a long time. With the upcoming Masters event headed for North American soil, the time to make a stand starts now.

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