All VCT Ascension Winners (2023–2024)

Since the launch of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) regional franchises, the Ascension pathway has been the proving ground for organizations seeking to break into Tier 1. VCT Ascension gives the best regional Challengers teams a shot at joining the international leagues, but keeping that spot is another story. Riot’s revised rules about relegations and slot retention from 2025 made it clear: Ascension winners now start with just a one-year term, and only strong results can extend their stay.

Here’s a breakdown of all VCT Ascension Winners from 2023 through 2024 across the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China, alongside how their journeys unfolded and where they stand today.

All VCT Ascension Winners

For China, since both teams have qualified for Champions, the team which performs better will retain the VCT berth while the other will fight at Ascension. Also, while BOOM got Bleed’s slot in 2025, due to their lack of qualification for Champions but overall performance this year, they will leave VCT Pacific but have a chance to return by winning Ascension 2025.

VCT Americas Ascension

The Americas region has seen two VCT Ascension winners so far, each with very different stories.

In 2023, The Guard lifted the Ascension trophy and initially earned promotion to VCT Americas. However, due to financial issues and community riots, The Guard’s slot eventually went to G2 Esports, who signed the roster and joined VCT Americas in 2024. From there, G2 flourished. They quickly became one of the region’s most consistent sides, qualifying for international events and securing enough Championship Points to lock in a VALORANT Champions 2025 berth, and also placing 2nd and 4th at both international majors this year.

The 2024 Americas Ascension title went to 2Game Esports (2G). Unlike G2, however, 2G struggled from the start of their international league journey. They failed to win key matches during Kickoff and Stage 1, finishing at the bottom of the table. By Stage 2, it was clear they were not going to make playoffs or earn enough Championship Points. Under Riot’s new one-year retention system, this meant automatic relegation to Challengers.

VCT EMEA Ascension

The EMEA region has been particularly brutal to VCT Ascension winners.

In 2023, Gentle Mates became the first Ascension champions of EMEA, capturing fan support with their spirited underdog run. But once in the international league, they could not replicate that success. They fell behind consistently during the 2024 season, missing playoff berths and Championship Point thresholds. When Riot’s 2025 rules kicked in, Gentle Mates had no safety net and were relegated back to Challengers.

Apeks, the 2024 VCT Ascension winners, suffered an even more dramatic fall. After sweeping through the Challengers circuit and winning Ascension, their 2025 campaign in VCT EMEA went down in infamy. They posted an 0–11 record across Kickoff and the first two stages, never looking competitive. Without a single playoff qualification or point tally to their name, Apeks were automatically relegated to Challengers.

VCT Pacific Ascension

The Pacific region has produced two VCT Ascension winners, though both stories took unusual turns.

In 2023, Bleed Esports won Ascension Pacific and entered Tier 1 with high expectations. Unfortunately, their time in the international league never truly began on the right foot. Riot removed Bleed from VCT Pacific, citing compliance and contractual issues with their Team Participation Agreement. Their slot was given to BOOM Esports, the VCT Ascension 2024 runners-up. While Bleed’s downfall came off the server, for BOOM, due to their lack of qualification for Champions but overall performance this year, they will be relegated from VCT Pacific but have a chance to return by winning Ascension 2025.

In 2024, Sin Prisa Gaming earned promotion after winning Pacific Ascension. Before their debut in 2025, they were signed under the Nongshim RedForce (NS). Unlike some of their regional peers, NS proved competitive in their first season. They reached the Stage 2 Playoffs, but did not qualify for Champions. This means, similarly to BOOM, they have earned the right to defend their international league spot in the 2025 VCT Ascension tournament.

VCT China Ascension

The Chinese region entered VCT a little later, but its Ascension winners have quickly made a strong impression. In 2023, Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) became the first Chinese Ascension team to join the VCT. They adapted quickly to Tier 1 competition, reaching playoff contention multiple times and eventually securing enough points to qualify for Champions 2025. The 2024 Ascension event in China crowned Xi Lai Gaming (XLG) as champions. Their debut in 2025 could not have gone better: they won VCT China Stage 1 and later clinched direct qualification to Champions.

Since both teams have qualified for Champions, the team which performs better at Paris will retain the VCT China slot for another year while the other will fight at Ascension for a chance to return.

Current Status of Ascension Teams

The fates of Ascension winners across all four regions are:

• In the Americas, G2 thrive while 2G are relegated.
• In EMEA, both Gentle Mates and Apeks have been relegated back to Challengers.
• In the Pacific, BOOM and NS will fight to requalify through Ascension.
• In China, DRG and XLG have both flourished, but only the best-performing one will get to automatically extend their VCT journey.

Riot’s 2025 rule change made it clear: promotion is no longer a free two-year ride. Teams must perform immediately or risk dropping back down. The current state of affairs shows exactly how high the stakes are for any organization chasing Ascension glory and eventual partnership.