VCT Summer 2023 schedule explained

The competitive Valorant season intensifies dramatically throughout summer 2023, with the VCT schedule delivering non-stop action from early May straight through late August.

This year marks a revolutionary shift for professional Valorant with the debut of International Leagues. Throughout VCT Summer 2023, spectators will experience inaugural International League playoffs, the landmark Masters Tokyo tournament, and the first-ever Championship hosted in China, alongside numerous other competitive milestones.

Before any global championship events commence, the International Leagues must establish which teams will represent each competitive region on the world stage.

International League Playoffs, May 19 – 28

From May 19 through May 28, the three primary International Leagues commence their playoff phases. The leading three squads from every league secure positions at both Masters Tokyo and Champions Los Angeles. EMEA stands as the singular exception to this rule. Following Fnatic’s championship performance at LOCK//IN Sao Paulo, the territory obtained an additional qualification spot for the event.

Masters Tokyo, June 11 – 25

The premier three teams from every International League — four representatives from EMEA and two from China — will battle in the inaugural major Valorant competition hosted in Tokyo. Attacking Soul Esports alongside Edward Gaming, the top two performers from the FGC Valorant Invitational, serve as China’s designated competitors for this prestigious event.

The champion at Masters Tokyo will secure an extra qualification position for their home territory at Champions Los Angeles.

Challengers Ascension, June 28 – July 16

More than twenty Challenger Leagues operate globally, featuring countless professional squads vying for recognition. These organizations receive an opportunity to gain entry into the International Leagues via the Ascension championship series.

The operational mechanics of Ascension tournaments remain somewhat ambiguous, as does their impact on currently established International League participants. Riot Games has explicitly stated that International League placement doesn’t guarantee permanent franchise security. The development team retains authority to eliminate or downgrade teams according to their assessment criteria.

Champions China Qualifiers, July 3 – 16

Because International Leagues were established prior to China’s authorization of Valorant distribution, certain structural adaptations became essential. China functions as an independent competitive territory, featuring twelve teams presently participating in the FGC Valorant Invitational alongside numerous additional organizations striving for advancement.

The leading three qualifier finishers will obtain placement at Champions Los Angeles.

Last Chance Qualifier, July 15 – 23

This represents the ultimate opportunity to qualify for Champions Los Angeles. Every International League will advance one additional squad through this competition. The territory that claims victory at Masters Tokyo will qualify two organizations.

Champions Los Angeles, August 6 – 26

Champions Los Angeles stands as the premier competitive gathering of the year and represents the climax of the 2023 VCT circuit. The championship will feature sixteen qualified organizations from the International Leagues combined with China Qualifiers contending for the season’s most significant championship title.

The event pledges to surpass all previous Valorant tournaments in scale and production quality. Additional specifics will be disclosed subsequently, including venue locations and broadcast arrangements.

For optimal viewing experience, focus on regional rivalries during International League playoffs, particularly EMEA’s battle for four qualification spots. Track Ascension tournaments to identify emerging talent that could disrupt established teams at international events. The Masters Tokyo competition provides critical insight into regional meta developments that often carry forward to Champions Los Angeles.

Common Viewer Mistakes: Many spectators overlook Challengers Ascension, missing crucial insights into future professional roster changes and strategic innovations.

Pro Tip: Monitor team compositions and agent selections during early tournament stages—these often reveal championship-winning strategies.

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