G2 and Sentinels have already secured their passage from VCT Americas to Champions Paris, but there are still two spots up for grabs between seven teams who head to VCT Americas Stage 2 Playoffs.
The road to Champions Paris is filled with heartbreak for some and joy for others. It’s the ultimate goal of top-tier teams across the globe, fighting for four coveted spots per region.
Qualification is wrapping up for Champions across the globe, with Pacific organizations Talon and DRXS on the brink of booking a flight to the French capital.
G2’s IGL, Jacob “valyn” Batio, is cool, calm and collected. Image Credit: Riot Games
With top positions on the VCT Points Leaderboard, two teams from the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Americas Stage 2 event have qualified: G2 Esports (23) and Sentinels (16).
At the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles, United States, the VCT Americas Stage 2 Playoffs run from August 21 to 31. On LAN, in front of a crowd, the final two spots at Champions Paris for the region will be claimed.
Seven squads still have a shot at glory in the exceptionally close affair, with just a few points separating a devastating end to the season or planning a trip to France.
The Fate of Seven VCT Americas Teams Hangs in the Balance
With the Group Stage coming to an end, three teams have zero chance of making it to Champions Paris: 2GAME Esports, LOUD, and FURIA.
For some of the teams still in contention, it’s up to Sentinels and G2 Esports to make it to the finals, so that the two VCT Champions Points spots are open for the taking.
- MIBR (9)
- KRÜ Esports (7)
- Cloud9 (6)
- 100 Thieves (6)
- NRG (6)
- Evil Geniuses (6)
MIBR can do nothing but watch, hoping the chips fall their way. Given the 5th-place finish in VCT Americas Stage 2 Omega Group, MIBR didn’t make it to the Playoffs Stage, so despite currently sitting on nine points, the stars will have to align for the Brazilian squad to have any chance of qualification.
The bracket is set. Image Credit: Riot Games
Leviatán Must Reach Grand Final
VCT 2024 Americas Stage 2 champions and 3rd place finishers at Champions 2024, Leviatán, are in a daunting position. With a mere four points on the board, the team that released former Champions MVP Maximillian “Demon1” Mazanov, can only qualify for Champions Paris 2025 if they manage to claw their way to a Grand Final spot.
The two teams that qualify for the Grand Final will receive a spot at Champions. Should G2 or Sentinels make it there, a place will become available based on points instead.
Third place at playoffs receives four points, and thus would move ahead of MIBR in the points standings – and therefore receive a Champions spot should G2 or Sentinels make the final.
Leviatán is starting the Playoffs Stage journey in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinal, facing Cloud9.
Sentinels await in the Upper Bracket Semifinals. It’s not going to be an easy journey. Still, there’s an outside chance that IGL Francisco “kiNgg” Aravena could steer the star-studded roster, which includes Champions 2023 winner Corbin “C0M” Lee, through the virtual minefield.