Sources: Riot Games discusses the future of VCT 2022

Editor’s Note 30/09/21: This article was updated to specify the meeting took place with North American team owners. 

Members of Riot Games held a meeting with several North American team owners and managerial staff regarding VALORANT’s competitive future next year, multiple sources with knowledge of the meeting told Upcomer on Sept. 30. 

The confidential meeting, which took place on Monday, Sept. 27, mainly discussed scheduling and information regarding next year’s VALORANT Champions Tour circuit. The meeting, while informative, was described as “disappointing,” one source told Upcomer. However, others remained positive, as the meeting included details regarding the improvement of production for future events. 

The meeting detailed scheduling and efforts by Riot Games to host more events next year, according to one source. It is unlikely that Riot Games will franchise the VALORANT Championship Tour circuit next year, according to multiple sources, judging by the information presented by the developers. 

The VCT circuit began following the announcement by Riot Games in Nov. As such, the VALORANT ecosystem has developed substantially following the 2020 First Strike events. These were the first major tournaments organized by Riot prior to the VCT circuit. 

Riot Games hosted the highly anticipated VCT Stage 2 and 3 Masters events earlier this year. Stage 2: Masters Reykjavík, was one of Riot’s most popular VALORANT events, with over a million peak viewers, according to data collected by EsportsCharts. 

The VALORANT Championship Tour will conclude later this year following Champions, the most anticipated event in the circuit. Champions will crown the best VALORANT team in the world, with multiple nations competing against each other. The event will run from Dec. 2-12.

Teams in North America, EMEA, APAC and South America have one last chance to qualify for Champions in the Last Chance Qualifier. Each region has one shot to play in the biggest event of the year. 

The VCT circuit for 2022 will begin next year. Riot has yet to announce the start date, however.