Valorant Unveils 30 Partnered Teams Including India’s Global Esports for VCT From 2023

The Valorant Champions Tour’s underhaul is well underway, as Riot Games has finalized the 30 teams that will usher in a new era of the VCT.

Starting in 2023, Valorant’s premier competitive tournament will feature three leagues taking place simultaneously in regions like the Ameircas, EMEA and the Pacific.

The studio announced its plans to revamp the VCT earlier this year, with a move towards partnering with 30 of the title’s best Esports organization. In a recent blog post, the Valorant makers revealed the teams that will be part of this partnership, with the developers further detailing the selection process.

According to Riot Games, the teams have been chosen on the basis of their values, financial stability, and engagement with fans through its brand. The teams underwent a rigorous process which involved a written application, in-depth interviews, and financial reviews.

Riot Games also noted that it didn’t take into account past performances of organizations in previous VCT tournaments, which is why teams like OpTic, G2, FaZe Clan, FPX and many others were surprisingly left out of the partnership program.

Several teams that weren’t selected for partnership have allowed their players to become restricted free agents, as they look to search for roster spots in the 30 partnered teams.

Among the 30 teams, Indian fans will be excited to know that the country will have representation in the form of Global Esports, which joins VCT Pacific.

From being one of the oldest standing esports org in India to now becoming the youngest, in this super exclusive group of 30 teams worldwide! #GEFighting #ValorantSA #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/B5Qiysoy0K

— Global Esports (@GlobalEsportsIn) September 21, 2022

The partnered teams have the benefit of not having to pay any participation/franchising fees. Additionally, they will also be receiving financial stipends, which allows them to grow their roster and ecosystem.

The teams that didn’t make the cut will now have to compete in the Challenger tournaments in order to compete in one of the three International Leagues.