2022 VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs start March 17

Mar 15, 2022

Playoffs begin on March 17 and feature the top eight teams from the 2022 VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Main Event squaring off in a double-elimination bracket. Matches will be played Thursday through Sunday for two weeks under a best-of-three format until we reach the best-of-five Lower Finals and Grand Finals.

After two sets of open qualifiers and main events, it is now time to determine the two teams that will represent North America at Masters: Reykjavik.

Here’s everything you need to know to watch the 2022 VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs.

Tournament Overview

2022 VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs is the first major part of the 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour: a year-long global circuit featuring three tiers of competition (Challengers, Masters, and Champions) across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Now, of the eight competing teams, the two tournament finalists will advance to Masters: Reykjavik, where they’ll have a chance to qualify for the VALORANT Champions, the international LAN tournament taking place in the latter part of the year.

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs will be a double-elimination bracket featuring best-of-three matches and a best-of-five grand final.

Competing Teams

The following eight North American teams will compete at the VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs:

• Cloud9
• The Guard
• XSET
• Luminosity Gaming
• Version1
• Sentinels
• Pittsburgh Knights
• OpTic Gaming

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.

If you’ve already signed up or been approved for VCT Stage 1, you’re set to continue to co-stream.

Broadcast Schedule

Each day begins at 1pm PT.

Verizon VCT NA Challengers Stage 1 Playoffs: twitch.tv/valorant or youtube.com/ValorantEsports.

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 1 Day 01: Thursday, March 17

• Upper Bracket Quarterfinals #1 & #2
  • [1pm PT] Match 1: Cloud9 vs. Knights
  • [4pm PT] Match 2: OpTic vs. XSET

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 1 Day 02: Friday, March 18

• Upper Bracket Quarterfinals #3 & #4
  • [1pm PT] Match 3: Version1 vs. LG
  • [4pm PT] Match 4: The Guard vs. Sentinels

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 1 Day 03: Saturday, March 19

• Upper Bracket Round 2
  • [1pm PT] Match 5: Match 1 Winner vs. Match 2 Winner
  • [4pm PT] Match 6: Match 3 Winner vs. Match 4 Winner

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 1 Day 04: Sunday, March 20

• Lower Bracket Round 1
  • [1pm PT] Match 7: Match 1 Loser vs. Match 2 Loser
  • [4pm PT] Match 8: Match 3 Loser vs. Match 4 Loser

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 2 Day 01: Thursday, March 24

• Lower Bracket Round 2
  • [1pm PT] Match 9: Match 5 Loser vs. Match 7 Winner
  • [4pm PT] Match 10: Match 6 Loser vs. Match 8 Winner

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 2 Day 02: Friday, March 25

• Upper Finals
  • [1pm PT] Match 11: Match 5 Winner vs. Match 6 Winner Lower Bracket Round 3
  • [4pm PT] Match 12: Match 9 Winner vs. Match 10 Winner

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 2 Day 03: Saturday, March 26

• Lower Finals
  • [1pm PT] Match 13: Match 11 Loser vs. Match 12 Winner

VCT Stage 1 - Challengers NA - Playoffs - Week 2 Day 04: Sunday, March 27

• Grand Finals
  • [1pm PT] Match 14: Match 11 Winner vs. Match 13 Winner

Partners

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.

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.

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 chairs — 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.