- Chinese teams might be able to get into the VCT through the East Asia Last Chance qualifiers
- This would mark the first time Chinese teams would compete in the VCT
- The teams would have to play through third-party tournaments to get into the VCT
For the first time in the history of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), Chinese teams will have the opportunity to participate.
Chinese Teams Will Be Able to Join the VCT
For a long time, VALORANT teams from China were not able to lay in the VCT, but this all changed recently. Now, teams from the country will be able to make it to Champions through the East Asia qualifiers.
This is because, at the end of each year, teams that were not able to make it to the VCT from each region have the chance to qualify through their respective Last Chance Qualifiers. This is a chance for one team from each VCT region to qualify and play alongside their fellow regional teams. This year will see the top three teams from the South Korea and Japan regions compete alongside the top two teams from China for a chance to win a spot at the VCT.
Chinese Teams’ Struggles to Play at the VCT
China has always had some difficulties putting teams in the VCT but not due to a lack of talent but rather due to organizational issues. Last year, for example, the two spots at the APAC VCT Last Chance Qualifier that were previously allocated to Chinese teams, were instead redistributed to teams from Japan and Korea.
No specific reason for this decision was given at the time, but the organizational team said that the change was “due to logistical issues that have the potential to impact the overall competitive integrity of the tournament.” It’s possible the fact that VALORANT was at the time not yet released officially in China, meant that Chinese players had to participate using a VPN. This was needed as the Last Chance Qualifiers were played online, and a delay by using a VPN might have been considered unacceptable for such high-level competitive play.
This year, Chinese teams still have to go through some hurdles. They will have to compete through a third-party tournament and not the VCT. These tournaments are not sponsored by Riot Games but will still make two teams eligible for a spot at Champions.
It is still unknown if Riot will officially sponsor VALORANT events in China for the VCT.
