Wolves and XLG Secure First Spots at VCT Masters Toronto

With the conclusion of the Upper Bracket Semifinals at VCT 2025 - China Stage 1, the first two teams have officially punched their tickets to VCT 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025—Wolves Esports and XLG Esports. Both organizations have made the journey from a competitive Group Omega to the top of the playoffs bracket, and their efforts have finally paid off.

From Underdogs to International Contenders

Wolves’ Stunning Turnaround

Wolves Esports have had one of the most surprising playoff runs so far. After a last-place finish at VCT 2025 - China Kickoff earlier this year, expectations were low. But in the playoffs, Wolves came out swinging. They opened their run with a gritty 2-0 victory over Titan Esports Club, a series that was far closer than the scoreline suggests.

Their next matchup was against Bilibili Gaming, the top seed from Group Omega and one of the most dominant teams in China. Going into the series, few expected Wolves to put up much of a fight. But the team flipped the script with a masterful performance, taking both maps with identical 13-8 scorelines. Their execution, coordination, and composure under pressure were all on display as they outclassed BLG across the board.

With this result, Wolves became the first team to secure a top-three finish in VCT China Stage 1, locking in their spot at Masters Toronto. For an organization that was on the bottom of the standings just months ago, this run marks a massive turnaround and sets the tone for their return to the international stage.

XLG’s Rise to the Top

Not long after Wolves’ breakthrough, XLG Esports joined them at the top. Placing second in Group Omega just ahead of Wolves, they started their playoff journey against Nova Esports, delivering a confident 2-0 win to advance to the Upper Bracket Semifinals.

Waiting for them was a massive challenge in the form of EDward Gaming — the reigning Champions and the only team from the region to attend every international event since VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul. What followed was one of the most shocking results of the playoffs so far. XLG, composed and precise, handed EDG a 2-0 defeat, knocking the giants down to the lower bracket.

With that victory, XLG secured their own top-three finish and qualification for Masters Toronto. While their path wasn’t as dramatic as Wolves’, the win over EDG speaks volumes about XLG’s development. Coming off a 5th-6th place finish at Kickoff, they’ve proven they can hang with the best, and now they’ll get the chance to test themselves against international competition.

A Clash for the Ages Ahead

With both teams now qualified for Masters Toronto, attention turns to the Upper Bracket Final, where Wolves and XLG will face off for a direct spot in the VCT China Stage 1 Grand Final. The winner will not only guarantee themselves a place in the playoff bracket in Toronto, but also gain a significant psychological edge heading into the international stage.

Meanwhile, the Chinese heavyweights BLG and EDG find themselves in unfamiliar territory—the lower bracket, where one misstep could spell elimination. For EDG, in particular, missing out on an international event for the first time since 2022 would be a devastating blow.

Wolves and XLG have defied expectations, emerging from a tough group and a stacked playoff bracket to become the first Chinese representatives at VCT Masters Toronto. With powerhouses like EDG and BLG now in survival mode, VCT China Stage 1 continues to deliver surprises, and the road to international glory has never looked more wide open.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games