Both BLEED and The Guard came out victorious in their VCT Ascension Grand Final to earn a promotion to their league for 2024-25.
The first two teams added to the 2024 and 2025 VALORANT Champions Tour have been determined. The VCT welcomes newest franchised teams BLEED and The Guard, after fairly dominant performances through Ascension Pacific and Ascension Americas, respectively.
Only one more Ascension team will make their region's VCT for the coming years. EMEA has a different format and schedule compared to Pacific and Americas. BLEED and The Guard can watch and wait to see who will reach promotion status for EMEA come July 16.
BLEED cements themselves a spot in VCT Pacific through Ascension
Despite coming out of the Group Stage of Ascension Pacific in first place, it was still a grueling challenge for BLEED. No matter the score line of each contest, the other incredibly talented Ascension hopefuls tested their willpower every step of the way.
That seemed to make them stronger throughout the year and the Ascension tournament. After a very close call with BOOM Esports in the Semifinals, they dominated SCARZ with a sweep in the best-of-five Grand Final. The opposition failed to reach double digits in any of the three maps played.
It was former VCT stand out from XERXIA and X10, Nutchaphon "sScary" Matarat, who stepped up when it mattered most. Instead of joining a partnered team, he signed with BLEED. And now he finds himself with a fearful squad who is ready to take the Pacific league by storm.
The Guard wins a battle of NA versus M80 to earn their promotion
Over on the VCT Ascension Americas side of things, The Guard moves on up. This is a team with amazing players who could have easily found a partnered organization. They opted to stick together and ride it out after The Guard did not make the VCT originally.
Well, it absolutely paid off. And it is only fitting that the Grand Final was against M80, a team who created a storybook rivalry with them through the regular season. After a 3-1 victory, The Guard hoisted the trophy and guaranteed themselves a place in VCT Americas.
The Guard is no stranger to the international stage and high stokes. The core of the roster has been to a Masters tournament and has been a top NA team regardless of their "Tier 2" status. They will surely push every Americas squad to brink in future seasons.
Congratulations to both teams and stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and VALORANT coverage.