The competitive Valorant scene is divided into several tiers, with players typically transitioning between Challengers and VCT. However, a monumental event occurred yesterday as the women’s team Shopify Rebellion GC, reigning world champions on the women’s stage, qualified to join the tier-2 Challengers league in the North American region.

Victory in the Closed Qualifiers

Yesterday marked the conclusion of the VALORANT Challengers 2025 North America: Stage 1 - Closed Qualifier, where three out of eight participating teams earned spots in the main event and, by extension, in the tier-2 league of the North American region. Shopify Rebellion GC secured third place in the tournament after defeating Funhaver 2-0 in the third round of the lower bracket, earning their long-awaited slot.

This achievement makes Shopify Rebellion GC the first women’s team on the professional Valorant scene to transition from the Game Changers league to Challengers. Notably, the team received congratulations from Ava "florescent" Eugene, a former Shopify Rebellion GC player. After winning this year’s women’s championship, Ava was invited to join the VCT league and signed with Apeks, becoming the first professional player to transition from Game Changers to VCT.

Shopify Rebellion GC is now officially part of the Challengers league and will begin their matches in the VALORANT Challengers 2025 North America: Stage 1 next week. Stay tuned to our website for up-to-date stats and news on professional Valorant matches across tier-2 and tier-1 tournaments.