Revolutionizing Competitiveness: Riot Games Unveils Game-Changing Updates to VALORANT Premier System in Episode 8

In a groundbreaking announcement, Riot Games has unveiled substantial enhancements to the VALORANT Premier system, poised to redefine the competitive landscape in Episode 8, commencing in January 2024. The Premier system, acting as a gateway for teams aspiring to reach the esteemed Challengers and the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), is geared towards nurturing talented players for a direct ascent into the Champions Tour from within the game.

The Premier Season of Episode 8 signifies a transitional phase, introducing a ranked requirement for Premier teams. To qualify for Contenders, the highest tier of Premier, teams must now meet a ranked requirement of Immortal 3 or higher. This bold move represents Riot Games' initial step towards realizing their vision of enabling promotions into Premier Contenders exclusively via Premier, with future plans to facilitate squad-level promotions without the need for ranked play.

Premier, Riot Games' in-game competitive tournament system, provides players with a platform to showcase their skills in a highly competitive arena. The path to Contender, a prerequisite for entering Challengers, involves achieving the Immortal 3 rank.

For teams aspiring to secure a spot in the Challenger League, an age requirement of 16 or above is mandatory for all players. Moreover, current professional players on active Challenger or International League rosters are ineligible for Premier participation. However, Game Changers competitors remain eligible for Premier.

Riot Games has implemented stringent policies to uphold integrity within the Premier system. Players are allowed to participate with only one account, substitutes are permitted, and cross-region play is in effect. Violations, including cheating, will result in severe repercussions.

Riot Games remains vigilant against players engaging in multiple regions, using smurf accounts, employing ringers, and addressing challenges arising from roster changes. The objective is to learn from these situations and address them comprehensively in subsequent seasons.

Timing is of the essence for teams embarking on their journey to Challengers. Teams must achieve a competitive ranking of Immortal 3 or higher by the start of Episode 8 Act 1 on January 10, 2024. The registration window for Premier teams is set between January 8 and 17, 2024. Subsequently, teams must sign up for the respective Challengers Open Qualifier with their Contender Division Roster. Specific information on Challenger League sign-ups will be revealed by Riot in the coming weeks through regional channels.

Teams that do not qualify for Challengers during Open Qualifiers will have the opportunity to compete in Premier Contender. Two stages of the competition will unfold between January and the end of April, culminating in the Premier Contender Play-Offs of the second stage, which will qualify teams for the Challengers Promotion and Relegation tournament.

The journey from Premier to Challengers serves as a testament to dedication, skill, and passion for VALORANT. Riot Games assures players of unwavering support throughout this exciting venture, with the promise of more updates on Premier, Challengers, and the 2024 VCT Season. Stay tuned as the VALORANT competitive landscape undergoes a revolutionary transformation in Episode 8.