VCT 2022 Stage 2 Challengers regional results — Who goes to Masters Copenhagen?

With the conclusion of the VALORANT Champions Tour Stage 2 Challengers, all competitive regions have now decided who will represent them in the upcoming Masters in Copenhagen, Denmark. However, one spot is still yet to be determined. 

The VCT Stage 2 Challengers phase featured seven regional competitions for North America, LATAM, Brazil, EMEA, APAC, Korea and Japan. While 11 tickets to Copenhagen have already been claimed, one is still reserved for the winner of the clash between runner-ups from Brazil and LATAM Challengers. 

The lineup for the Masters event includes Fnatic, FPX, Guild Esports, LOUD, XSET, OpTic Gaming, XERXIA, Paper Rex, Northeption, DRX, and Leviatán. South America will decide its representative on June 30 in a decisive match between Ninjas in Pyjamas and KRÜ Esports. 

XSET and OpTic advance from NA 

The North American Challengers events saw XSET emerge victorious following a Grand Final series against reigning Masters from Reykajvík OpTic Gaming. Both teams showed great performances and topped their consecutive groups with a 4-1 record before facing each other for the first time in the upper bracket final. This match was won 3-1 by OpTic, however, XSET managed to eliminate FaZe Clan in the lower bracket to return for revenge in the Grand Final. Even though XSET have won the Challengers title, both teams advance to Masters Copenhagen. 

Fnatic, FPX and Guild advance from EMEA 

The European regional event crowned Fnatic after a clean sweep against FunPlus Phoenix in the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Challengers Grand Final. But because there were three spots booked for Europe at the Masters Copenhagen, all top three finishers advance, including FunPlus Phoenix and Guild Esports. 

Paper Rex and XERXIA advance from APAC

The Challengers event for Asia and Pacific concluded with a victory of Singaporean team Paper Rex against XERXIA from Thailand. While Paper Rex quickly swept through the playoffs, XERXIA had to defeat everyone in the lower bracket in order to face Paper Rex in the Grand Final. Although the Singaporean squad won this Challengers event, two spots at Masters were booked for the APAC region, meaning both Paper Rex and XERXIA got in. Both teams previously appeared in international Valorant events, so their qualification was rather expected. 

Leviatán advance from LATAM

Following their victory against KRÜ Esports in the LATAM Challengers Grand Final, Leviatán have become the second team (after KRÜ) in Valorant history to represent Latin America at an international event. The success for the Chilean team came shortly after signing Fabian “Shyy” Usnayo and adding assistant coach Martín “Betony” Bourre.

KRÜ will get another chance to secure a spot in Copenhagen in the qualification match for South America reserved for second finishers from Brazil and LATAM Challengers. The event that decides who will get the last Masters spot will take place on June 30.

LOUD advance from Brazil 

The Brazilian Challengers was absolutely dominated by LOUD, who didn’t drop a single map during the entire competition. Their last defeat was in the Masters Reykajvík Grand Final against OpTic Gaming, so it goes without saying that this time in Copenhagen, LOUD will go after the title. 

The Brazilian Challengers runner-ups Ninjas in Pyjamas will try to secure the last spot in the Masters Copenhagen in this week’s decisive match against KRÜ.

DRX advance from Korea 

Similarly to LOUD, the Korean Challengers kings DRX are on a winning streak of 10 victories without losing a single map. The team overpowered everyone in the Korean regional event, defeating Maru Gaming 3-0 in the Grand Final and qualifying for the second International Valorant event. At Masters in Reykajvík, DRX finished 5-6th. 

Northeption advance from Japan 

Following the defeat of ZETA DIVISION — the third-place finisher from Masters Reykajvík — Northeption advance from Challengers Japan to represent the country in the international event for the first time. Initially, Northeption lost to ZETA in the upper bracket final, however, after defeating Crazy Raccoon in the lower bracket, the team returned to take their revenge and defeat ZETA 3-1 in the Grand Final 

The VCT 2022 Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen is set to take place from July 10 – 24 in Copenhagen’s Forum arena and will mark the first-ever international Valorant LAN competition to take place in front of a live audience. Details regarding prize pool are yet to be announced. 

Header: Ninjas in Pyjamas/Twitter