Riot Games reveal exciting details about VCT Challengers 2024

Riot Games has officially revealed the details of the next VCT Challengers 2024, which will feature a revised schedule, an integration of International Leagues and Challengers, and a new structure.

Riot has finally unveiled the schedule for the 2024 VCT Challengers, along with all the modifications and additions that will take place in the Tier-2 league next year. Some of the biggest upgrades include the addition of affiliate partnerships, two-way players, and player loans, all directed to enhance Valorant’s Tier-2 ecosystem. First off, the VCT Challengers will now take place all year long in two phases to provide consistent competition in the Tier 2 structure. Here are the details you need to know about the revamped 2024 VCT Challengers League:

It’s time to talk about #VCT Challengers in 2024!

For details, roadmap, and more: https://t.co/0jdjxu8pY6 pic.twitter.com/uLntngXQSc

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 20, 2023

A new path to pro

Along with charting a new course for Valorant’s esports roadmap, Riot Games plans to assist up-and-coming talent and aspiring professional players by including Premier mode matches in the Valorant Champions Tour. Before Stage 2, Riot Games will host the inaugural “Promotion” and “Relegation” tournaments between top Premier League teams and Challenger League teams in the upcoming year.

With this new modification, the top Premier teams will be able to face off against one another in an attempt to earn a spot in the Premier Promotion Tournament. Subsequently, the qualifying teams will compete against the Challenger League’s worst teams to secure their berths in Split 2.

While some Challenger Leagues will be welcoming back known teams from the 2023 season, most will have open qualifiers for the VCT Challengers season, which begins in January. Tournaments for promotion and relegation will take place between the Challenger stages. Riot is currently finalizing the format for these tournaments; further information is anticipated in early November.

Riot’s New Policies for 2024 VCT Challengers

Riot has introduced some major new policies to create more opportunities for players across all tiers, including Affiliate Partnerships, Two-Way Players, and a Player Loan system. These new policies are designed to allow teams to discover nascent talent more conveniently than before. Partnered organizations can foster multiple professional and semi-professional rosters, benefiting from and helping develop Tier Two VALORANT alongside nurturing the established pro scene.

Affiliate Partnership:

Teams from the International Leagues will be able to form alliances with Challenger and Game Changers teams through Affiliate Partnerships. Through Affiliate Partnerships, teams will be able to collaborate to produce new and interesting content and develop the notion of Two-Way players. This will open the door to cooperative ventures in content development and better talent fostering. A partnership with a Challenger team must take place within the same region, however, no restriction exists on a partnership with a Game Changers team based on the region

Two-way player:

The International Leagues were frequently plagued with the problem of replacement players on international rosters not getting enough playing time or valuable experience. Riot Games has decided to address this by introducing Two-Way Players, whic will allow those who are sitting on the substitute bench of an International League team to participate in Challengers and Game Changers with the Affiliate Partner Team. When the team needs them, the players can go back to the Tier 1 league to participate.

Player loans:

Teams from international leagues will be able to lend players to Challengers and Game Changers lineups. Since this is completely different from affiliate partnerships, players can be loaned to any qualified team, regardless of whether they have affiliate partnerships. However, unlike Two-Way Players, loaned players cannot play again with their home side until their loan period ends.

2024 VCT Challengers Schedule:

• Challengers Stage 1: January to April

• Challengers Stage 2: May to August

• Promotion/Relegation event between stages: May and August

• VCT Ascension: September

• Challengers 2025: October

As the rules and roadmap are still being worked out, Riot Games has the right to make changes to support the Valorant ecosystem. Additionally, Riot Games has announced that the Challengers League would launch early for the 2025 season—in October 2024—to give qualifying teams more time for preparation.

Header: Riot Games