How Does Valorant Esports Work?
Electronic sports, commonly referred to as esports, have taken the gaming world by storm, and Valorant, a tactical first-person shooter released by Riot Games in 2020, has quickly become one of the hottest Esports titles around. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual spectator, understanding how Valorant’s esports scene works can be daunting. In this article, we’ll break it down for you, covering everything from professional teams, seasons, and tournaments to viewer engagement, professional players, and prize pools.
Professional Teams and Rosters
Professional Valorant teams are composed of five player rosters: Keeper (Attack), Sentinel (Defense), Initiator, Leader, and Entry Fracture. Teams compete across various regions, such as North America (NA), Europe (EU), CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Korea, China, Japan, and Turkey. Each region has its own set of league and tournament schedules, and teams need to qualify for specific events through seeding, group stage matches, and playoffs.
Season Structure
Valorant’s esports schedule is divided into seasons, which typically last around 8-9 months. A season kicks off with the launch of a brand-new competitive game mode (e.g., Attack, Defense). Teams participate in regional leagues (e.g., the American League, the European Legue), online bracket tournaments, and lans tournaments. The top teams from regional leagues and online bracket tournaments qualify for the Championship matches.
Tournament Structure: NA and EU Championship
Table: Valorant NA & EU Championship Tournament Structure
| Phases | Description | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifiers (Online) | Online matches leading to the Championship stage | 48 teams (16 teams of 3) play in best-of-one matches1 | |
| Elimination Bracket | A single-game elimination bracket featuring the top seeds | Top seeds (Rank 1-8) | Best-of-three boff matches 2 |
| Champion Bracket | A best-of-five bracket with the remaining qualifiers | Remaining qualifiers (winners of Elimination Bracket) Win 2 matches > Advance, Lose 2 > Elim |
Championship Prize and Viewer Engagement
Prize Pool Highlights
- The top prize so far is $1,475,000 in the Valorant Champions Tour 2021 Chimera Cup
- The winning team receives the most significant slice of the prize pool
Viewer Engagement
Watching professional Valorant matches comes with an immersive experience: live in-game statistics, overlays, and real-time leaderboards give viewers an active role during championships. Additionally, the in-game browser allows for interactions in the chat during matches – a feature many fans (and players alike!) love using.
Professional Players and Coaching Careers
Top Valorant players can earn lucrative salaries, usually ranging from $50,000 – $200,000 annually. Strong performances in tournaments lead to:
- Endorsement deals with gaming organizations, hardware developers, and gaming chair brands
- Coaching positions for smaller teams or mentoring roles within large organizations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAOs)
Q 1: What’s the minimum squad size for a Valorant Team?
A1: Only 5 players per team in Valorant esport team.
Q2: How do Pro Teams Qualify for Tournaments and Championships?
A2: A combination of seeding, group-stage matches, and playoffs based on leagues and online brackets.
Q 3: Are Viewers in the Chat Entitled to Certain Privileges?
A3: Generally, no. Interactive chat viewers are not entitled to unique privileges directly related to gameplay decisions.
Q4: How Long Has Valorant Esports Been around?
A4: Valorant Esports, as a prominent scene, has been around since June 2021.
Q 5: What Major Tournaments Have Teams Compete in?
A5: Cherry Cup, Chimera Cup, and more to emerge as the Valorant Esport scene continues to grow
Q6: Can I Join Professional Valorant Teams? Qualify Process
A6: Aspiring talents can participate in online and offline championships, regional leagues, or even enter the Riot League of Legends Championship to acquire experience and enhance their Valorant skills.
Q7:How Do I Attend Valorant Tournaments? Event Attending**
A7: Follow up-to-date Valorant’s official website for live event guides, ticket links, or online brackets to watch the action remotely.
Q8: Who Are Well-Known Pro Players Among the Top Valorant Teams?
A8: Keep up with roster updates and news: Valorant Pro Play accounts, like ‘Sentina’ (formerly Valorant Challengers), share real-time competitive updates and pro players’ background stories.
Valorant’s esports strategy is designed to promote continuous growth of the competitive scene and give fans of the game a meaningful way to become involved. As Valorant develops, we can anticipate more league and tournament schedules to evolve, with updated prize pools, better viewer integrations, and emerging professional and coaching opportunities for top prospects.