2022 VCT Stage 2 - Challengers NA Primer

Apr 20, 2022

The excitement of the VALORANT Champions Tour continues next week with the start of Stage 2 Open Qualifiers. This is the final open qualifier of 2022 and the last shot for teams to put themselves in the running for earning a spot at Masters, and later, VALORANT Champions.

Here’s everything you need to know about 2022 VCT Stage 2 - Challengers NA.

EVENT OVERVIEW

Two Open Qualifiers will reignite the competitive spirit among returning and up-and-coming teams as they fiercely battle through a 128 bracket competition for their chance at the Grand Finals. The current top four North American teams from Stage 1 – The Guard, OpTic Gaming, Cloud9 and XSET – will receive direct invitations to the Challengers NA Main Event for the chance to reign supreme once again.

The Main Event will showcase a month-long clash of the top performing teams in the region, fighting their way to the double-elimination Playoff bracket to determine who will represent the best of the best in the international VCT Stage 2 - Masters tournament.

OPEN QUALIFIERS

Open Qualifier #1 will run from April 28 through May 1 and Open Qualifier #2 will run from May 5 through May 8. Teams will be seeded based on their overall VCT and community competition performances. The top four teams from each Open Qualifier will advance to the Main Event, where they will be joined by The Guard, OpTic Gaming, Cloud9 and XSET.

The first two rounds (128 and 64 teams, respectively) will both be single-elimination format, while the third (32 teams) and later will be double-elimination. For Open Qualifier #1, the eight teams that participated in the VCT Stage 1 Group Stage will receive byes to the Round of 32 portion of Open Qualifier #1, and teams that place 5th through 12th in Open Qualifier #1 will receive byes to the Round of 32 in Open Qualifier #2. All matches are a best-of-three format and the bracket will culminate once all eight Main Event spots have been claimed.

Register to compete below!

• Open Qualifier #1 registration closes on April 20 at 5:00PM PT
• Open Qualifier #2 registration closes on April 30 at 5:00PM PT

MAIN EVENT

The Challengers NA - Main Event kicks off a month of fierce VALORANT competition on May 13. The teams will be split into two groups of six teams, with three match days per week for five weeks.

All matches are a best-of-three format and the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs.

PLAYOFFS

Playoffs begin on June 16 and will feature the top eight teams squaring off in a modified double-elimination bracket. Look out for more details in the coming weeks.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Open Qualifier #1 (April 28 - May 1)

• April 28 & April 29 - Matches begin at 3pm PT
• April 30 & May 1 - Matches begin at 1pm PT

Open Qualifier #2 (May 5 - May 8)

• May 5 & May 6 - Matches begin at 3pm PT
• May 7 & May 8 - Matches begin at 1pm PT

Main Event (May 13 - June 12)

• Matches are played every Friday - Sunday for five weeks
• All match days begin at 1pm PT

WHERE TO WATCH

You’ll be able to catch the best VALORANT action on YouTube and across our Twitch channels:

• Twitch.tv/valorant
• Twitch.tv/valorantesports2

CO-STREAMING

Anyone who wishes to host a Watch Party must read and agree to our VCT Co-streaming Guidelines and comply with the following steps in order to gain permission to co-stream the event:

• If you’re broadcasting from North America, sign up to host a Watch Party here. All NA Watch Parties must comply with the Watch Party Guidelines. If you can do both, you’re clear to kick off your Watch Party come game day.
• If you’re broadcasting from anywhere else in the world, apply to host an International Watch Party here. Then, keep an eye on your email. Please allow a few days for review. If your application is approved you’ll receive a message from us giving you permission.

PARTNERS

We’re proud to be working closely with our Signature Partners for the 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour season, a huge thank you to Red Bull, Verizon, Aim Lab, and Secretlab.

Red Bull is the official energy drink of VCT, presenting the Red Bull “Clutch Moment” during every match. Red Bull is also helping prepare the next generation of VALORANT pros by hosting community VALORANT tournaments, spotlighting the incredible grassroots talent of the scene.

Verizon is the official 5G and wireless services provider of the VCT. In addition to top-shelf video content and sponsored broadcast segments, Verizon ups our game through the Verizon Up rewards program, which features discounted in-game digital goods for the community to enjoy.

Aim Lab is the official training partner of VCT, helping develop existing VALORANT pros and players trying to break into the professional scene with a variety of innovative training programs and custom insights.

Secretlab provides VCT pros with the pinnacle of gaming seats — each designed and engineered using the highest quality materials and manufacturing techniques to ensure absolute comfort and unparalleled support.

Prime Gaming provides a premium VCT viewing experience, including exclusive in-game content, on Twitch as a part of Amazon Prime and Prime Video memberships.