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G2 Esports vs. 100 Thieves ended VCT Americas 20204 Stage 1. 100T won in a sweep, but that's not to take away from the stellar showing Jacob "valyn" Batio and company had during their playoff run.






Following the Grand Final series, we spoke with the G2 Esports IGL. Read on to see what valyn has to say about the match, preparing for Masters Shanghai, and his continued learning as a leader.



G2 Esports IGL valyn discusses Grand Final against 100T, and more



(Photo by Tina Jo/Riot Games)



"Obviously, that wasn’t the result you were looking for. After playing 100 Thieves so recently, did it look like a completely different game plan than last time?"



valyn: "The off day they had to be able to watch our game, plus reflect on the previous match, led to them having an incredible game plan versus us. We started off hot on the two maps, but once they started adjusting and  getting a feel of how we were playing, they were able to close it out easily.



"I would say, unfortunately, we didn't put up a good enough fight and we didn't adjust accordingly. Honestly, we had no prep going into this. Our match was so late yesterday (Lower Final) and it went all five. It was a long day for us. We just came in and tried our best, but it wasn't enough today."



"Okay, that's what I was going to ask you next. What were the biggest issues you were facing as a team? Would you attribute to the long day prior and no prep time?"



valyn: "I definitely would, but it's not an excuse. I don't want to make it sound like an excuse. I still think that we had moments that we could have closed out maps, or at least gotten big halves. Both on Bind and Breeze. Once it got to the second half, they were completely shutting us down.



"Bind was their defense and then Breeze was their attack. We really just didn't have enough answers. We were properly running our setups. We were, I felt like, in the right positions or even knowing what was about to happen, but they were just outclassing

"I feel like my brain is literally expanding," G2 valyn on learning through the ups and the downs

The VALORANT Champions Tour is packed with partnered teams. They represent the best in the world across four regions. Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China have teams and players who dedicate their life to the game. It's about time that we can represent them in-game with the VCT team bundles.



What comes in the VCT team bundles?




Time to rep your team 🔥Check out the all-new #VCT team capsules! Designed in partnership with the 2024 @VALORANTEsports teams, live today. pic.twitter.com/zvJBXFSPEJ— VALORANT (@VALORANT) February 21, 2024




Confirmation of impending VCT team bundles was delivered to us by Leo Faria in December. They arrived in the game on February 21. You can find them in the Esports Hub, rather than the Store. And each bundle costs 2,340 VALORANT Points.



Here's what you can expect, with each bundle specific to the team you purchase it for:




Classic skin with an augmented reality inspection upgrade



Gun Buddy



Player Card



Spray








Each team receives 50% of the proceeds from all VCT bundles sold. If you want to support your favorite squad in VALORANT, this is the best way to do so.



Every VCT team bundle



There are dozens of VCT team bundles when they go live in VALORANT. There are four leagues, each with 11 teams. All teams, including those that entered their respective league through Ascension, receive a bundle.



All images via Riot Games



Americas



100 Thieves







Cloud9







Evil Geniuses







FURIA







G2 Esports







KRÜ Esports







Leviatán







LOUD







MIBR







NRG







Sentinels







EMEA



BBL Esports







FNATIC







FUT Esports







Gentle Mates







GIANTX







Karmine Corp







KOI







Natus Vincere







Team Heretics







Team Liquid







Team Vitality







Pacific



BLEED Esports







DetonatioN FocusMe







DRX







Gen.G







Global Esports







Paper Rex







Rex Regum Qeon







T1







Talon Esports







Team Secret







ZETA

All VCT team bundles

Riot Games announced on May 15 the full talent lineup for the VALORANT Masters Shanghai 2024 English broadcast.



While some of the most popular casters and analysts made the cut, there are also several historic VALORANT names out of the list. Find below everyone working on the VCT Masters Shanghai English broadcast from May 23 to June 9.






All announced VCT Masters Shanghai English broadcast talent



Lots of popular casters are missing (Image via Riot Games)



Here is every caster, analyst, or host working on VCT Masters Shanghai English broadcast:




Victoria "ChubbyNinja" Cheng



Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez



Mika "Mikafabs" Fabella



Yinsu "Yinsu" Collins



Seth "Achilios" King



Andrej "babybay" Francisty



Doug "EsportsDoug" Cortez



Clinton "Paperthin" Bader



Salome "Soe" Gschwind-Repp



Mimi "aEvilcat" Wermcrantz



Beatriz "kaquka" Alonso




Even though EsportsDoug & babybay and Paperthin & Achilios are the only obvious casting duos in VCT Masters Shanghai, we'll likely see other talent members such as aEvilcat and kaquka get involved during matches, too. 



All VCT Masters Shanghai English broadcast observers



Observers are the unsung heroes of esports broadcasts (Image via Riot Games)



Here is every observer who will try their best to not miss any frags, blunders, and utility lineup for you during VCT Masters Shanghai:




David "prius" Kuntz



Heather "sapphiRe" Garozzo



Alberto "Tiie" Chavez Benitez



Nicholas "Yehty" Tesolin







Every notable caster missing VCT Masters Shanghai



Pansy will surely be missed during VALORANT Masters Shanghai broadcast (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff via Riot Games)



As you saw, there are lots of commentators who will not work the VCT Masters Shanghai English broadcast. Here's everyone you might miss during the event:




Lauren "Pansy" Scott



Michael "hypoc" Robins



Tom "Tombizz" Bissmire



Mitch "MitchMan" McBride



Josh "Sideshow" Wilkinson



Brennon "Bren" Hook




Some of them

VALORANT Masters Shanghai 2024: English broadcast talent revealed

Blacklist International members are allegedly in the midst of a bizarre conflict. The team's carry player, Kim "Gabbi" Santos, just announced his departure from Blacklist International on his Kick livestream. He revealed that someone in the team had punched him in the face and some of the community believed the person to be midalner Abed "Abed" Yusop. 



A Reddit user summarized the story in a post on the Dota 2 sub-Reddit. Apparently, Gabbi had trashtalked Abed and exposed a sensitive information about him in a pub match. This likely led to Abed's rage and he proceeded to punch Gabbi, who would leave the organization due to the conflict.



A pub match trashtalk between Gabbi and Abed leads to this conflict



The entire feud likely began a couple of days ago in a Dota 2 pub match where Gabbi was on the opposite team from his teammate, Abed. This match was also livestreamed on Gabbi's official Twitch channel. In the game, there was a moment when Gabbi's Timbersaw managed to deny himself to neutral creeps, saving himself from Abed's Templar Assassin. 



Right after, Gabbi all-chatted question marks and the words "L BUNGAL" which is Tagalog for "L TOOTHLESS". Abed responded with "huh?" and Gabbi was visibly entertained with the situation.











You can find the moment in the video below at the 9:23 minute mark.









Abed allegedly punched Gabbi, Gabbi leaves Blacklist



In a recent Kick livestream, Gabbi revealed a shocking story that happened at his bootcamp. According to Reddit user Ptts, Gabbi elaborated that he was watching an NBA (National Basketball Association) game while waiting to do content for Blacklist International. 



A summarized translation of Gabbi's statement via Reddit



Out of the blue, someone punched him on the side of his face. He initially thought that it was a playful punch but it didn't stop. Although he didn't reveal who confronted him, his Kick stream title hinted at Abed. 



The stream title reads "NASA LOOB ANG KULO" which

Gabbi allegedly leaves Blacklist International due to Abed's physical assault

Team Liquid's head Coach Jake "Spawn" Tiberi took the time after a 3-1 loss to T1 at MSI 2024 to talk about the series, his roster, and what comes next for the LCS champions. 



North American's League Champion Series (LCS) Champions Team Liquid fell in a brutal 3-1 series to South Korea's League of Legends Champions Korea number two seed T1. Despite one very close game and a nail-biting win, it wasn't enough to keep NA in the running. Spawn talked with esports.gg after the match about the bitter disappointment of the loss, his effusive pride in AD carry Sean "Yeon" Sung, and where Team Liquid will go from here.



Esports.gg: How are you and the team feeling coming off of your series against T1 today?



Jake "Spawn" Tiberi: "Obviously disappointed. We felt like were right there with them today. We feel like game one they got the better of us, especially with how they attacked mid lane in the lane swaps. Game two and three, we feel like we should have won game two and we did win game three. Game four we had a really solid early game and a significant lead in jungle. I think that’s a game that if we play it 10 times, we convert more than half of them. So, you know, it’s a disappointing result to go down like that but I’m very proud of the team that showed up today and to be the head coach of those five players that went out there and gave it their all."



Touching on the heavy lane swap focus we saw in this series, how do you think the lane swap meta is evolving as the tournament goes on, and how do unique picks like Samira, Rek'Sai, G2's Ivern, etc, fit into this meta?



"The meta every tournament continues to evolve, and I think that the lane swap meta is very unique because it means if you index too hard into early laning phase that you can get punished quite heavily. I think that picks like Ivern, Rek’Sai, Samira, Ziggs, and Lillia all have a really interesting place in the meta right now, and all have unique strengths that, if you capitalize on them

TL Spawn opens up: "[Yeon] is like my little brother... I'm so happy for him"

Professional players were left dismayed by the apparent introduction of an ALGS draft system ahead of the next split of the ALGS. 



The change, which was first mooted before the Split 1 Playoffs, will see a huge overhaul to how teams and players land on the map. Teams will now have to pick a landing spot in a draft system. Only one team can land at each location.



The ALGS draft system will end both contesting for a spot, and having the same spot every week. Now, teams will be forced to play from (in theory) every or any spot on the map.






ImperialHal on ALGS draft system: "probably the worst change ever made in Apex history"



ImperialHal, who has recently formed a super team with Genburten and Zer0, was one of the first to speak out against the changes.




ALGS has just forced us to play on a random draft POI system in a competitive lobby , probably the worst change ever made in Apex history. #SaveApexComp For context not a single Comp Player was in favor of this and they still pushed it in. Love giving feedback!— ImperialHal (@ImperialHal) May 15, 2024




He claims that the ALGS draft system is "probably the worst change ever made in Apex history" and adds that the ALGS has not listened to player feedback. 



He was not alone in sharing his frustration. Zachmazer, who was part of an E8 team that contested throughout Match Point finals, also is against the system.




ALGS let us know today they hate us 🙁— E8 Zachmazer (@zachmazer) May 15, 2024




Speaking to esports.gg before the event in Los Angeles, he expressed that he strongly opposed the idea.



"I think if they introduce the system how they originally proposed to, I think it would probably kill competitive overnight. You'd see a lot of people retiring and they'd get a lot of hate from the pro community and their communities behind them."



Also adding, "It seems like they are really rushing it. That is never good when you're changing the game dramatically and you're rushing."



Photo

Several Apex pros speak out against ALGS draft system

Team Spirit's superstar Danil "donk" Kryshkovets has quickly become one of the best Counter-Strike players in the world after the switch from CS:GO to CS2 in 2023, and part of that is due to his practice routine.



Though donk is obviously a generational talent, he also put over 14,000 hours into CS:GO and CS2, according to his Steam profile. If you want to try getting as good as donk in CS2, here's what the 17-year-old does almost every day.






How donk practices in CS2




"Basically I wake up, go to eat, and have training sessions with my team," donk said in an interview with esports.gg on May 12. "After that we have theory sessions as we're trying to improve our tactics and strats. After the team practice is done I can play for myself and I play up to seven games a day excluding team practice. If I believe that I need to do more, I go and play some more."
Donk shares his practice routine as professional CS2 player



Shockingly, donk doesn't play a lot of deathmatch, a game mode that many professionals and casuals play to sharpen their aim or warm up before matches. Donk only plays DM when he feels the need for it after his usual practice routine in CS2. The superstar said in the past that DM offers too much "unrealistic" aim duels and scenarios.



Donk put in a lot of practice in CS:GO and CS2 to become one of the best (Photo by Adam Lakomy via ESL Gaming)



While many CS2 fans think donk is the best player in the world at the moment, the Spirit youngster prefers not to think about it and leave it for other people to decide it.



"Right now I can't consider myself the best player in CS2 and I believe everyone will know who is the best player at the end of the year," donk told esports.gg. "We have a lot of tournaments coming up and it's up to others to decide who is the best player, not me."



Donk and Spirit are due to play an official match once again after a nearly two-month hiatus from tournaments. They'll play their first match in the $500,000 LAN

Donk reveals his CS2 practice routine

The Arteezy-SumaiL reunion at PGL Wallachia seems to be working well, showing once again how powerful their combination is. Reminiscing the good ol’ Evil Geniuses days, Artour "Arteezy" Babaev talks about his experience playing with Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan again.



Arteezy on SumaiL: “It’s definitely a blast from the past. He hasn’t changed at all”




Hear @Arteezy&#39;s thoughts on his reunion with @SumaaaaiL throughout Wallachia.#PGLWALLACHIA #ArmTheRebels pic.twitter.com/k1LcXUWqoI— Shopify Rebellion (@ShopifyRebels) May 12, 2024




After Shopify Rebellion’s win over Team Liquid in their group stage series at PGL Wallachia Season 1, Arteezy spoke in a post-game interview and shared his thoughts on reuniting with SumaiL.



Arteezy: "It's definitely a blast from the past. He hasn't changed at all since last time I remember playing with him. It's literally the same vibes. His behavior is the same and his reactions to things in the game is the same. I think the one thing he has improved is he's actually a lot more vocal. A long time ago I think he was more like 'I'm the best and I'm not going to talk" and all this stuff. But now he's a lot more expressive and I think that just comes with age."



Growing up and growing old









It's true that SumaiL has since mellowed from the cocky personality he had back at Evil Geniuses. Rocking his blazing blue hairdo, he mentioned at TI8 (The International 2018) that his motivation was money. "What am I going to do with the title? I'll take the money." he said when asked to choose between money and the title of champipn. 



Arteezy continued to indulge his memories on how SumaiL used to "clown" around such showing up to scrims late. However, growing up apparently hadn't changed the fun vibes between them. "He [SumaiL] said he's 25 today [February 13]. He's actually quite old. We're all quite old. So, it's been really fun. It reminds me of my youth" Arteezy added.






So far so good for Shopify Rebellion

"It's definitely a blast from the past. He hasn't changed at all” Arteezy on reuniting with SumaiL at PGL Wallachia

Ubisoft is still sailing full speed ahead with Skull and Bones, delivering a seasonal reset update before Season 2 kicks off. 



This has been a big talking point in the community, as many pirates wonder what will happen to their loot when a new season begins. Let's go over what to expect.






Skull and Bones Season 2 preview



First, let's tackle what Ubisoft has in store for Season 2. Adjustments to the end game loop and overall seasonal formula are front and center:




Ship Upgrades, which allows you to upgrade your ships to improve ship stats and gain new perks



Fleet Management, which allows you to assign ships to manufactories to automatically collect Pieces of Eight



Helm Leases, which allows you to acquire a manufactory of your choice



New PvE & Solo Game Modes



Balancing the costs of our Manufactories




The biggest takeaway is that this is in addition to new content. You can still look forward to several new boss fights, sea monsters, ships, weapons, and other in-game items to live out your pirate fantasies.



Skull and Bones seasonal reset









A livestream called The Deck went over everything we all have been hoping to hear against a Skull and Bones seasonal rest. They started by going over the fact that all Diamond rank Kingpins receive the end of season cosmetic rewards.



As well, new items are going to the most successful Kingpins from Season 1. These are World Helm Leases and Ship Upgrade Parts. This goes alongside a soft seasonal reset for Skull and Bones in the transition to Season 2.



All leaderboard ranks, manufactories, and upgrades are reset, but you'll either get to keep some things or receive some rewards depending on how vastly you grew your empire.



(Image via Ubisoft)




Territory Reset - World Helm Leases are given based on the number of territories you end Season 1 with.

1 Territory = World Helm Lease x 1



3 Territories = World Helm Lease x2



5 Territories = World Helm Lease x3



8 Territories = World Helm

Skull and Bones details seasonal reset ahead of Season 2

It’s been around a year since the release of Street Fighter 6. The game has received several updates in that time. However, none as big as the upcoming SF6 Battle Balance Update 2024. The developers introduce lots of changes to the character movesets — and this includes everyone in the roster. 



Also, players will get a new wake-up option. Let’s highlight the important adjustments! The patch comes with new costumes for some characters.



Street Fighter 6 Battle Balance Update 2024: Trailer



Many changes that come with this SF6 balance update have been shown in a special trailer. It doesn’t have specific move names or numbers, but an experienced eye can spot many interesting moments. Let’s take a look!









Recovery Drive Reversal in SF6



The new defensive mechanic in Street Fighter 6 is Recovery Drive Reversal. This addition to the Drive System allows players to wake up with a quick offensive option.



Probably all who play SF6 were in such a situation. An opponent unleashes an endless stream of aggressive pressure, and it’s hard to stop that and find a gap for your turn to be in offense. Some characters can rely only on their Supers in these situations, and it’s a costly reversal option.



Recovery Drive Reversal gives a nice alternative. The input is the same as for the standard Drive Reversal, but without the block — press Heavy Punch and Kick (HP+HK) while on the ground. Your character wakes up with a quick punishing move, which costs two bars of the Drive meter.






SF6 Recovery Drive Reversal (image via Street Fighter on YouTube)



Battle adjustments for all characters



The trailer promises moveset changes for all the SF6 characters. There are no moves or frame data on the video — at least in the text version. But the characters got their few seconds to highlight the changes in action. Each clip within the trailer demonstrates something new in the fighters’ abilities. It’s not new moves, certainly; just attribute

SF6 Battle Balance Update 2024: Adjustments for all characters revealed

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<p>We have our VALORANT Champions 2023 song, everyone! Ever since Riot Games introduced <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7MYJghRWt0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Die For You</a>, fans of the first-person shooter have waited rather impatiently every year to hear the VCT Anthem. Well, wait no further as the VCT Anthem for 2023 is another banger by Grabbitz, who has teamed up with Riot and another artist once more.</p>



We have our VALORANT Champions 2023 song, everyone! Ever since Riot Games introduced Die For You, fans of the first-person shooter have waited rather impatiently every year to hear the VCT Anthem. Well, wait no further as the VCT Anthem for 2023 is another banger by Grabbitz, who has teamed up with Riot and another artist once more.



<p>Ticking Away, performed by Grabbitz featuring bbno$, was revealed on July 31. The song itself is available through many Digital Service Providers. And the official music video, released on the same day the song becomes available, showcases VALORANT's top Agents, with a heavy focus on Gekko, as they prepare for the 2023 championship tournament.</p>



Ticking Away, performed by Grabbitz featuring bbno$, was revealed on July 31. The song itself is available through many Digital Service Providers. And the official music video, released on the same day the song becomes available, showcases VALORANT's top Agents, with a heavy focus on Gekko, as they prepare for the 2023 championship tournament.


Grabbitz returns, in collaboration with bbno$, for the 2023 VCT Anthem Ticking Away


<p>On Monday, July 31, Ticking Away reveals itself to the VALORANT universe. It is a fusion of pulsating electronic beats and rock. This marks the third time Grabbitz has collaborated on a VCT Anthem. His first venture into the FPS saw Die For You reach over 60 million views on YouTube and 80 million plays on Spotify.</p>



On Monday, July 31, Ticking Away reveals itself to the VALORANT universe. It is a fusion of pulsating electronic beats and rock. This marks the third time Grabbitz has collaborated on a VCT Anthem. His first venture into the FPS saw Die For You reach over 60 million views on YouTube and 80 million plays on Spotify.



<p>As VALORANT Champions 2023 arrives, on-site and online spectators can expect to see the song performed live. Grabbitz and bbno$ are scheduled to showcase Ticking Away live in the Opening Ceremony on August 26. This continues the tradition of spectacular live openings to the biggest VALORANT tournament of the year.</p>



As VALORANT Champions 2023 arrives, on-site and online spectators can expect to see the song performed live. Grabbitz and bbno$ are scheduled to showcase Ticking Away live in the Opening Ceremony on August 26. This continues the tradition of spectacular live openings to the biggest VALORANT tournament of the year.



<p>And following that performance will be two other live renditions. You'll see ericdoa's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHxJXBLJW98" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greater Than One</a> and Emei and Jazz Alonso debut a new surprise track produced by ARB4. This will kick off the Grand Final day of Champions 2023 where two teams will determine the year's best VALORANT squad.</p>



And following that performance will be two other live renditions. You'll see ericdoa's Greater Than One and Emei and Jazz Alonso debut a new surprise track produced by ARB4. This will kick off the Grand Final day of Champions 2023 where two teams will determine the year's best VALORANT squad.



<p>The VALORANT Champions Tour is the flagship competitive circuit for the Riot Games first-person shooter. In its third year, with two prior world champions crowned, much has changed with the addition of partnered organizations and leagues. And it will all culminate with VALORANT Champions 2023.</p>



The VALORANT Champions Tour is the flagship competitive circuit for the Riot Games first-person shooter. In its third year, with two prior world champions crowned, much has changed with the addition of partnered organizations and leagues. And it will all culminate with VALORANT Champions 2023.



<p>The announcement of this year's location took place near the tail end of VCT LOCK//IN. Gekko, Agent 22, was introduced and hails from Los Angeles, California. That fact is how Riot Games revealed that VALORANT Champions 2023 will be live from his hometown, the VCT Americas hub city of angels.</p>



The announcement of this year's location took place near the tail end of VCT LOCK//IN. Gekko, Agent 22, was introduced and hails from Los Angeles, California. That fact is how Riot Games revealed that VALORANT Champions 2023 will be live from his hometown, the VCT Americas hub city of angels.


VALORANT Champions 2023 expands the esport's global presence


<p>When VALORANT Champions 2023 commences, the VCT will have held an international tournament in seven different countries. From the first of 2021 in Iceland to the last of 2023 in the United States, VALORANT's global reach is notably massive.</p>



When VALORANT Champions 2023 commences, the VCT will have held an international tournament in seven different countries. From the first of 2021 in Iceland to the last of 2023 in the United States, VALORANT's global reach is notably massive.



<p>The finale will see 16 teams from all over the world fight to be the best in this new era of competitive VALORANT. With a peak of over 1.5 million viewers during Champions 2022 in Istanbul, the hopes are that the 2023 iteration blows that out of the water and showcase the force that the game is becoming as an esport.</p>



The finale will see 16 teams from all over the world fight to be the best in this new era of competitive VALORANT. With a peak of over 1.5 million viewers during Champions 2022 in Istanbul, the hopes are that the 2023 iteration blows that out of the water and showcase the force that the game is becoming as an esport.



<p>VALORANT Champions 2023 has 16 slots divided across the three International Leagues and China. Each International League determines three representatives for their respective region. An additional team from each league joins the fray by winning that region's Last Chance Qualifier.</p>



VALORANT Champions 2023 has 16 slots divided across the three International Leagues and China. Each International League determines three representatives for their respective region. An additional team from each league joins the fray by winning that region's Last Chance Qualifier.



<p>The three teams from China were in a Champions CN Qualifier. And the final slot to round out the field goes to the region that won <a href="https://esports.gg/news/valorant/vct-masters-tokyo-schedule-venues-tickets/">Masters Tokyo</a>. EMEA earned themselves a fifth slot with a FNATIC victory.</p>



The three teams from China were in a Champions CN Qualifier. And the final slot to round out the field goes to the region that won Masters Tokyo. EMEA earned themselves a fifth slot with a FNATIC victory.



<p>Here is each team locked in for Champions:</p>



Here is each team locked in for Champions:


<li>DRX (Pacific)</li><li>Paper Rex (Pacific)</li><li>T1 (Pacific)</li><li>ZETA Division (Pacific LCQ)</li><li>LOUD (Americas)</li><li>NRG (Americas)</li><li>Evil Geniuses (Americas)</li><li>KRÜ&nbsp;Esports (Americas LCQ)</li><li>Team Liquid (EMEA)</li><li>FNATIC (EMEA)</li><li>FUT Esports (EMEA)</li><li>Giants Gaming (EMEA LCQ)</li><li>Natus Vincere (EMEA LCQ)</li><li>Bilibili Gaming (China)</li><li>EDward Gaming (China)</li><li>FunPlus Phoenix (China)</li>


<p>As mentioned, the tournament is taking place in Los Angeles, California. This is the hub city for the VCT Americas League and the first international VALORANT tournament in the United States. The early rounds will be held in the Shrine Auditorium while the final rounds will play out at the Kia Forum.</p>



As mentioned, the tournament is taking place in Los Angeles, California. This is the hub city for the VCT Americas League and the first international VALORANT tournament in the United States. The early rounds will be held in the Shrine Auditorium while the final rounds will play out at the Kia Forum.



<p>VALORANT Champions 2023 takes place in August. The majority of the tournament will happen between Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 at the Shrine Auditorium. The final leg at the Kia Forum will occur from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26. You'll find the exact dates and times of the matches in the images above.</p>



VALORANT Champions 2023 takes place in August. The majority of the tournament will happen between Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 at the Shrine Auditorium. The final leg at the Kia Forum will occur from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26. You'll find the exact dates and times of the matches in the images above.



<p>Tickets will eventually go on sale for those who want to catch VALORANT Champions 2023 live. Everyone else can stick to the live streams. The official VALORANT channels on Twitch and YouTube will have all the action.</p>



Tickets will eventually go on sale for those who want to catch VALORANT Champions 2023 live. Everyone else can stick to the live streams. The official VALORANT channels on Twitch and YouTube will have all the action.



<p>There will also be streams in a variety of languages and watch parties hosted by your favorite content creators, streamers, and pro players. You really do have your pick when it comes to enjoying the championship tournament.</p>



There will also be streams in a variety of languages and watch parties hosted by your favorite content creators, streamers, and pro players. You really do have your pick when it comes to enjoying the championship tournament.



<p>Stay tuned to esports.gg for more <a href="https://esports.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">esports news</a> and updates on <a href="https://esports.gg/games/valorant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VALORANT</a> Champions 2023.</p>



Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and updates on VALORANT Champions 2023.


<p>The VALORANT Champions Tour is the flagship competitive circuit for the Riot Games first-person shooter. In its third year, with two prior world champions crowned, much has changed with the addition of partnered organizations and leagues. And it will all culminate with VALORANT Champions 2023.</p>



[esports_link url="https://esports.gg/news/valorant/valorant-champions-2023-full-schedule-and-results/"]



<p>The announcement of this year's location took place near the tail end of VCT LOCK//IN. Gekko, Agent 22, was introduced and hails from Los Angeles, California. That fact is how Riot Games revealed that VALORANT Champions 2023 will be live from his hometown, the VCT Americas hub city of angels.</p>



<h2 id="h-valorant-champions-2023-expands-the-esport-s-global-presence">VALORANT Champions 2023 expands the esport's global presence</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.esports.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/VCT23_Road-to-Champ_Article_2022-Champs-1024x576.jpg" alt="LOUD poses with their trophy on stage after winning VALORANT Champions 2022 in Istanbul." class="wp-image-201324"/><figcaption>(Image via Riot Games)</figcaption></figure>



<p>When VALORANT Champions 2023 commences, the VCT will have held an international tournament in seven different countries. From the first of 2021 in Iceland to the last of 2023 in the United States, VALORANT's global reach is notably massive.</p>



<p>The finale will see 16 teams from all over the world fight to be the best in this new era of competitive VALORANT. With a peak of over 1.5 million viewers during Champions 2022 in Istanbul, the hopes are that the 2023 iteration blows that out of the water and showcase the force that the game is becoming as an esport.</p>



<h2>Qualified teams</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.esports.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VCT-Champions-2023-Slots-1024x576.jpg" alt="The slots for VCT Champions 2023 are shown, with three from each International League and China, one for each League's LCQ, and a slot for the winning region of Masters Tokyo." class="wp-image-226158"/><figcaption>(Image via Riot Games)</figcaption></figure>



<p>VALORANT Champions 2023 has 16 slots divided across the three International Leagues and China. Each International League determines three representatives for their respective region. An additional team from each league joins the fray by winning that region's Last Chance Qualifier.</p>



<p>The three teams from China were in a Champions CN Qualifier. And the final slot to round out the field goes to the region that won <a href="https://esports.gg/news/valorant/vct-masters-tokyo-schedule-venues-tickets/">Masters Tokyo</a>. EMEA earned themselves a fifth slot with a FNATIC victory.</p>



<p>Here is each team locked in for Champions:</p>



<ul><li>DRX (Pacific)</li><li>Paper Rex (Pacific)</li><li>T1 (Pacific)</li><li>ZETA Division (Pacific LCQ)</li><li>LOUD (Americas)</li><li>NRG (Americas)</li><li>Evil Geniuses (Americas)</li><li>KRÜ&nbsp;Esports (Americas LCQ)</li><li>Team Liquid (EMEA)</li><li>FNATIC (EMEA)</li><li>FUT Esports (EMEA)</li><li>Giants Gaming (EMEA LCQ)</li><li>Natus Vincere (EMEA LCQ)</li><li>Bilibili Gaming (China)</li><li>EDward Gaming (China)</li><li>FunPlus Phoenix (China)</li></ul>



<h2>Where is VALORANT Champions 2023?</h2>



<p>As mentioned, the tournament is taking place in Los Angeles, California. This is the hub city for the VCT Americas League and the first international VALORANT tournament in the United States. The early rounds will be held in the Shrine Auditorium while the final rounds will play out at the Kia Forum.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.esports.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/VCT23_Road-to-Champ_Article_Location-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="The Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA is lit up with a purplish and red color." class="wp-image-201321"/><figcaption>(Image via Riot Games)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>VALORANT Champions 2023 schedule</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.esports.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Champions-2023-Schedule-1.jpg" alt="A look at the first portion of the VALORANT Champions 2023 schedule." class="wp-image-269477"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.esports.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Champions-2023-Schedule-2.jpg" alt="A look at the second portion of the VALORANT Champions 2023 schedule." class="wp-image-269481"/></figure>
</figure>



<p>VALORANT Champions 2023 takes place in August. The majority of the tournament will happen between Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 at the Shrine Auditorium. The final leg at the Kia Forum will occur from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26. You'll find the exact dates and times of the matches in the images above.</p>



<h2>How to watch</h2>



<p>Tickets will eventually go on sale for those who want to catch VALORANT Champions 2023 live. Everyone else can stick to the live streams. The official VALORANT channels on Twitch and YouTube will have all the action.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embedpress-twitch-block ose-twitch-presentation"><iframe src="https://player.twitch.tv/?channel=VALORANT&amp;parent=admin.esports.gg" frameborder="0" width="600" height="450"></iframe></figure>



<p>There will also be streams in a variety of languages and watch parties hosted by your favorite content creators, streamers, and pro players. You really do have your pick when it comes to enjoying the championship tournament.</p>



<p>Stay tuned to esports.gg for more <a href="https://esports.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">esports news</a> and updates on <a href="https://esports.gg/games/valorant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VALORANT</a> Champions 2023.</p>

Valorant

VALORANT Champions 2023: Location, dates, and how to watch


<p>Stay tuned to esports.gg for more <a href="https://esports.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">esports news</a> and <a href="https://esports.gg/games/valorant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VALORANT</a> coverage as VALORANT Champions 2023 approaches.</p>



Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and VALORANT coverage as VALORANT Champions 2023 approaches.


<p>We have our VALORANT Champions 2023 song, everyone! Ever since Riot Games introduced <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7MYJghRWt0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Die For You</a>, fans of the first-person shooter have waited rather impatiently every year to hear the VCT Anthem. Well, wait no further as the VCT Anthem for 2023 is another banger by Grabbitz, who has teamed up with Riot and another artist once more.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdZN8PI3MqM&amp;ab_channel=VALORANT
</div></figure>



<p>Ticking Away, performed by Grabbitz featuring bbno$, was revealed on July 31. The song itself is available through many Digital Service Providers. And the official music video, released on the same day the song becomes available, showcases VALORANT's top Agents, with a heavy focus on Gekko, as they prepare for the 2023 championship tournament.</p>



<h2 id="h-grabbitz-returns-in-collaboration-with-bbno-for-the-2023-vct-anthem-ticking-away">Grabbitz returns, in collaboration with bbno$, for the 2023 VCT Anthem Ticking Away</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.esports.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Full-Ticking-Away-Image-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Gekko raises a fist and has a fierce look on his face with Ticking Away underneath him and the artists of the song for the VCT Anthem 2023." class="wp-image-269465"/><figcaption>(Image via Riot Games)</figcaption></figure>



<p>On Monday, July 31, Ticking Away reveals itself to the VALORANT universe. It is a fusion of pulsating electronic beats and rock. This marks the third time Grabbitz has collaborated on a VCT Anthem. His first venture into the FPS saw Die For You reach over 60 million views on YouTube and 80 million plays on Spotify.</p>



<p>As VALORANT Champions 2023 arrives, on-site and online spectators can expect to see the song performed live. Grabbitz and bbno$ are scheduled to showcase Ticking Away live in the Opening Ceremony on August 26. This continues the tradition of spectacular live openings to the biggest VALORANT tournament of the year.</p>



<p>And following that performance will be two other live renditions. You'll see ericdoa's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHxJXBLJW98" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greater Than One</a> and Emei and Jazz Alonso debut a new surprise track produced by ARB4. This will kick off the Grand Final day of Champions 2023 where two teams will determine the year's best VALORANT squad.</p>



[esports_link url="https://esports.gg/news/valorant/valorant-champions-2023/"]



<p>Stay tuned to esports.gg for more <a href="https://esports.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">esports news</a> and <a href="https://esports.gg/games/valorant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VALORANT</a> coverage as VALORANT Champions 2023 approaches.</p>

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Ticking Away by Grabbitz feat. bbno$ revealed as VCT Anthem for VALORANT Champions 2023

Grabbitz returns, in collaboration with bbno$, for the 2023 VCT Anthem Ticking Away

VALORANT Champions 2023: Location, dates, and how to watch