We have drawn the curtains on the VCT 2022 season earlier this week with LOUD securing the Valorant Champions 2022. The end of the season marks the hype for the next season and things are already getting hot. With Riot Games declaring the franchise teams of VCT 2023, social media has erupted with mixed reactions.
During Champions 2022, Riot Games announced that they will be introducing a franchise-like event next year. This means that only a select number of teams will be able to join upon invites into the competitive ecosystem. There will be a total of three leagues across the world based upon location. A total of 30 teams will be participating with 10 teams for each of Americas, Pacific and EMEA. The esports organizations are legally partnered with Riot to allow them to compete in the event while providing their intellectual property to the developers. Teams that are not partnered with Riot will have to qualify for the event through the amateur scene.
Franchise Teams of VCT 2023
Here are all the franchise teams for the VCT 2023 season:
VCT Americas
- 100 Thieves
- Cloud9
- Evil Geniuses
- FURIA
- KRU Esports
- Leviatan
- LOUD
- MIBR
- NRG
- Sentinels
VCT EMEA
- BBL Esports
- Fnatic
- Team Vitality
- Team Heretics
- NAVI
- Team Liquid
- Karmine Corp
- Giants
- FUT Esports
- KOI
VCT Pacific
- Zeta Division
- Gen.G
- DRX
- Paper Rex
- Talon Esports
- Detonation Gaming
- T1
- Team Secret
- Rex Regum Qeon
- Global Esports
You can learn more about the franchise teams reveal here.
Teams Missing Out
Unfortunately, some big names are missing out from the franchise event. OpTic Gaming, the team that finished top 3 in the last three top tier Valorant events have been left out. Their former IGL, FNS and yay have both announced that they are up for grabs as a restricted free agent.
I am a restricted F/A & allowed to explore other options for partnered teams. TY @OpTic @H3CZ & @hastr0 for putting your trust in me to build this team. Looking to IGL but I can drop 400 acs on every agent if needed.
— OpTic FNS (@FNS) September 22, 2022
Deeming themselves the best EMEA team in a recent announcement, FPX are also disheartened to not be a part of the plan. They not only won Copenhagen but also finished top 4 at Champions 2022. The organization announced that they will be focusing on “taking care of their players” in the near future.
Announcement regarding FPX Valorant division pic.twitter.com/JPNB9dZ3CD
— FPX (@FPX_Esports) September 21, 2022
The winners of Valorant Champions 2021, Acend Club are also missing out on a franchise spot. Their founder, Benjamin Rolle took to social media assuring fans that he’s still proud of what the organization has achieved. Bencb went on to state:
We’re disappointed, but we’re determined to build a powerhouse.
You can check out the full statement here:
Well, it surely is disappointing that some big teams will be missing out on the biggest stage of Valorant next year. We hope that these teams do make a comeback and perform on the main stage!
