The 2024 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Americas League is set to kick off in a spectacular fashion with the highly anticipated VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 tournament. This event is a departure from the traditional LOCK//IN event and promises to bring a fresh and exciting prelude to the competitive VALORANT scene. With the Masters Madrid on the line, teams participating in the VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 understand the importance of performing well and securing a coveted spot in the prestigious tournament.
Riot Games, the mastermind behind VALORANT, has put together a comprehensive guide to ensure fans and participants have all the essential details about this exhilarating tournament. From the format to the schedule, here’s everything you need to know
The official Bracket/Groups for the VCT Americas Kick-Off tournament has been announced pic.twitter.com/BHKNoil3Mf
— Valorant News (@ValorINTEL) January 30, 2024
Overview of VCT Americas Kickoff 2024
The VCT Americas plays a crucial role in the extended VCT framework, alongside VCT Pacific, VCT EMEA, and VCT China. In the upcoming 2024 season, there will be three global events for teams to strive for qualification: VCT Masters Madrid, VCT Masters Shanghai, and VCT Champions 2024. It is worth mentioning that VCT Masters Madrid will have a total of eight teams, making it the most compact VCT Masters tournament ever held.
The VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 features a total of 11 teams hailing from various regions across North America and South America. Among the participating teams are renowned organizations, namely:
- NRG
- Furia Esports
- Cloud 9
- MIBR
- Loud
- Sentinels
- Leviatan
- 100 Thieves
- KRU Esports
- G2
- Evil Geniuses
The inclusion of the previous VCT Ascension Americas winners, G2 Esports, adds to the excitement of this tournament, completing the lineup for what promises to be a thrilling competition.
VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 Format
The VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 comprises three distinct phases: the group stage, play-in, and playoffs, encompassing a total of 19 matches distributed over eight days.
Group Stage
- The 11 teams are divided into three groups. Groups 1 and 2 consist of four teams each, while Group 3 accommodates three teams, granting the highest-placed team from Champions 2023 a bye.
- A double-elimination GSL-style bracket unfolds in the group stage, with the top team from each group progressing to the playoffs. Simultaneously, the second-placed team from each group earns a spot in the play-in stage.
Play-In Stage
- The three teams that secured second place in their respective groups engage in the play-in stage. In a single round-robin format, these teams battle it out, and the victorious squad advances to the playoffs.
Playoffs
- The culmination of the VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 sees the top four teams competing in a single-elimination bracket. Beyond the title, the tournament’s stakes are elevated as the top two teams secure coveted spots at Masters Madrid.
VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 Schedule
The VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 will commence on February 16 and continue until March 3, igniting a passionate atmosphere of competition. This exhilarating event promises to showcase high-level Valorant gameplay, fueling the adrenaline of both players and spectators alike. To witness the live action, viewers can tune in to the official VCT Americas YouTube and Twitch channels. Here is the schedule for the tournament:
Group Stage (16 – 25 February)
- Matches from February 16 to 24 will commence at 7:00 KST // 14:00 GMT+8.
- Matches on February 25 will start from 5:00 KST // 16:00 GMT+8.
Play-Ins (26 February)
- Play-in matches on February 26 will kick off at 5:00 KST // 14:00 GMT+8.
Playoffs (2 – 3 March)
- The playoffs, scheduled for March 2 and 3, will begin at 7:00 KST // 16:00 GMT+8.
Conclusion
As the VCT Americas Kickoff 2024 commences, both Valorant enthusiasts and esports aficionados can prepare themselves for an exhibition of strategic brilliance and intense competition. With the top two teams securing a coveted spot in VCT Masters Madrid, the stakes have never been higher, ensuring an exhilarating path towards the zenith of Valorant’s competitive scene.
