With an active player count numbering more than 23 million, not to mention some jaw-dropping Twitch statistics, Valorant’s remarkable rise is unprecedented. The smash hit shooter became a staple of esports, with the first Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) was announced shortly after the general release of the game.
Right from the off, the VCT has been a firm favorite with audiences. While viewership was slightly down on last year’s tournament, the 2023 grand finals managed to bring in an average audience of more than 970,000 on Twitch alone. Despite thousands of teams entering, only a handful have risen to prominence. Let’s take a look at which rosters have proven their mettle in 2023.
6. EDward Gaming
This fearsome team has been around since the early days of the VCT and was the lineup to represent China. In fact, EDward Gaming started competing before Valorant had even been cleared by China’s strict censorship rules. During their early days, EDward Gaming failed to make much of an impression, but there was a noticeable upswing in performance in 2022, winning several A-Tier and B-Tier finals. After breezing through the VCT China Qualifier in 2023, they ended up in a respectable sixth place overall. A common fixture of the Valorant schedule, expect this team to place even higher next year.
5. DRX
This South Korean team was already ruling the roost in the VCT Pacific region. In fact, DRX have been top of the pile there since bursting onto the scene in early 2022. Their current roster is strong, with a consistent crop of players that has remained largely unchanged since the team’s formation. They might have only placed fifth in the VCT 2023, but expect bigger things from them in 2024.
4. Fnatic
UK-based team Fnatic was formed in early 2021, with the esports organization keen to emulate the success of its League of Legends roster. Unlike other teams, Fnatic isn’t shy about switching things up, securing several key transfers ahead of the VCT 2023. However, this worked out nicely enough for Fnatic, with the new roster helping them land in fourth place.
3. LOUD
Let’s take a moment to talk about LOUD. It’s not often we see a South American team in the spotlight, but this Brazilian outfit more than deserves their time in the sun. Despite only forming in 2022, the team took home the top prize at that year’s VCT. This year, they faced tough competition in Paper Rex, narrowly losing out on a top spot in the grand final. Nonetheless, there’s no shame in coming in third.
2. Paper Rex
Another team that’s been around since 2020, Paper Rex is one of the leading lights of Asian esports. This Singapore-based team boasts one of the most dynamic lineups in Valorant esports, with hardened veterans serving alongside rising stars. A shaky start looked set to derail Paper Rex’s chances during the 2023 season, but they turned things around to emerge as runners-up.
1. Evil Geniuses
A founding team that helped make the VCT what it is today, Evil Geniuses is one of many teams hailing from the Americas. With its Game Changers roster, Evil Geniuses became one of the first organizations to embrace diversity and encourage inclusivity. However, it’s the main competing team that sets Evil Geniuses apart from the rest. In August 2023, they put Paper Rex in their place, lifting the Valorant Champions Tour trophy. Will they manage a second win in 2024? With last year’s runners-up nipping at their heels, not to mention the likes of LOUD vying for another shot at glory, it’s a hard one to call.
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