An official offseason tournament, Ludwig x Tarik 3 NA vs EU, took place in Los Angeles, featuring Leo Faria, the head of VALORANT esports. During the stream, he answered questions from streamers Ludwig and Tarik, as well as commentator aEvilcat.
Team Skins and Partner Revaluation
Faria noted that the VCT 2024 team skins sold "in the millions", adding that both team skins and a champion's bundle will be available in the upcoming season at the World Championship. In response to a question about the planned revaluation of partner teams set for 2027, he confirmed that it "will definitely happen". Faria emphasized that new teams will have a high chance of entering the league.
Revaluation Process and League Formats
He explained that the revaluation process will be similar to the one that took place in 2022-2023, and a similar assessment will be conducted in 2026-2027. Faria expressed satisfaction with the current partner league and noted that team changes are possible. When asked about the demotion system, he indicated that this could also be one of the options.
Open and Closed Formats
Faria stressed that the decision on the format of the current competitive scene—open, closed, or semi-open—is an important choice. He clarified that the open format leads to high management costs and insufficient stability, which is why it has not been adopted. However, if he were to host tournaments again with the current knowledge, he would choose the open format.
Opportunities for Tier 2 Teams
When asked about the possibility of including Tier 2 teams in international tournaments, Faria responded that it is "possible." He also confirmed that a "dictated map" for the team winning Ascension could be introduced.
Viewership and Future Plans
Faria revealed that the peak viewership for VALORANT Champions 2024 was around 9.1 million, with approximately 80% of that coming from Chinese broadcasts, which you can read more about in our article. He also mentioned that creating a skin for the winning team of Champions could take about a year.
Support for Teams and League Changes
In conclusion, Faria noted that about 140 employees work in the VALORANT esports team, and support for league teams and teams coming up from Ascension is provided on equal terms, including assistance with visas and funding. Changes to the venues for regional leagues are not currently under consideration; however, Faria believes this could be a good idea.
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