Valorant got a big change in its competitive scene in 2023. Riot Games introduced a new franchising model for its hit FPS game Valorant. The competitive scene has developed since the game's release in 2020. Riot Games hopes franchising can take the scene to the next level, making it the best FPS competitive scene in the world.
VCT and local leagues are the foundations for Valorant esports. However, with this new franchising, Riot is looking to develop its competitive arena. It also has the goal of making the scene more sustainable for teams and attracting even bigger sponsors.
So, without further ado, let's find out everything about the Valorant franchising system.
What does the Valorant franchising system look like?
Riot Games created three new international leagues with this franchising system. They are called the EMEA, Americas, and APAC leagues. These leagues gather a selected number of teams from multiple countries and regions.
The Americas league has the ten best teams from that continent. The best Brazilian, Argentian and North American teams are now all playing in the same league. It's the same for the Pacific and EMEA leagues.
Every league has ten teams, that were carefully selected. Teams weren't selected solely based on their success in Valorant. Riot Games was looking for well-structured organizations, with big fan bases, good public image, and that had a track record of committing to a franchise league.
Each of these leagues is played in front of a live audience. Another brilliant win for the esports industry as covid restrictions are lifted. The tournaments won't be online but instead are on LAN. The teams competing will be battling for places in international tournaments, such as VCT Masters Tokyo or Valorant Champions.
There is no demotion for the 30 teams that made it into the Valorant franchise league. However, every year, one team from each region Valorant Challengers league, will qualify for the franchise league.
These teams will spend two years in the league, and will then be moved back down to Valorant Challengers, independent of the results they achieve.
The goal is to get the number of teams in the franchise league up to 42 in 2024. There is a chance some of the teams that qualify for the Valorant franchise league through Ascension, can become permanent franchise teams.
What teams are in the Valorant franchise leagues?
As mentioned above, the Valorant franchise league teams were carefully selected. Many big organizations weren't picked, which left many fans surprised. However, some teams no one thought had a chance of making it in, proved their value to Riot Games and secured a place in the league.
Teams built exciting rosters, and the leagues have been providing fans with plenty of great matches. Right now, the leagues are at a very important point in the season.
They are already nearing the end of the regular split, and each match is incredibly important. Teams are giving everything they have to reach playoffs and qualify for VCT Master's Tokyo.
So, let's take a look at all the teams that made the franchise league in Valorant, down below.
EMEA
- Fnatic
- Natus Vincere
- Team Liquid
- Giants Gaming
- FUT Esports
- Team Vitality
- BBL Esports
- Karmine Corp
- KOI
- Team Heretics
Americas
- Cloud9
- LOUD
- FURIA
- KRU Esports
- Leviatán
- NRG Esports
- 100 Thieves
- Sentinels
- Evil Geniuses
- MIBR
APAC
- DRX
- Gen.G
- Paper Rex
- T1
- ZETA DIVISION
- Team Secret
- Global Esports
- Rex Regum Qeon
- Talon Esports
- DetonatioN FocusMe