ENVY conquers Americas Ascension 2025, qualifies for VCT Americas 2026

After a gruelling season of open qualifiers, a tense Swiss stage, and a dramatic playoff run, ENVY have officially claimed the VCT 2025 Americas Ascension title. With a 3–1 victory over TSM, the North American organization sealed their return to the VCT Americas league 2026, completing one of the most satisfying redemption arcs in VALORANT history.

ENVY’s Road Back to the Top

The ENVY name has long been synonymous with North American esports excellence. Once among the original VCT founding organizations and a team that helped shape VALORANT’s early meta, their departure from the top league in 2023 was a heavy blow.

But in 2025, ENVY re-entered the scene. The new roster of canezerra, Eggsterr, ion2x, Inspire, and P0PPIN became a feared unit across the North American Challengers circuit, especially in the second half of the year: Eggsterr’s mastery of Yoru, canezerra’s versatility with practically any duelist, the team’s growing consistency in performance.

After dominating the circuit as free agent team “the Rankers,” being signed by ENVY, and qualifying for Ascension, the team entered the event as quiet contenders — and left as champions.

The Swiss Stage: North American Dominance

The Americas Ascension began with an expanded Swiss play-in phase, testing consistency across multiple best-of-three series. ENVY quickly established themselves among the top seeds, dispatching 9z Team (2–0) and Stellale Gaming (2–1) before narrowly falling to TSM.

That setback only fueled their determination. With canezerra’s high-impact duelist play leading the way, averaging 253 ACS and 77/65/26 KDA, and ion2x proving indispensable on Omen with a +19 KD differential, ENVY powered into the playoff stage. Eggsterr’s flexible Yoru performances added unpredictability to their attack rounds, while Inspire’s initiator utility gave them excellent site entry control.

By the end of groups, ENVY sat comfortably near the top of the standings, while regional hopefuls Team Solid, Winthrop University, and TSM also impressed with deep runs.

Playoffs: ENVY’s Redemption

ENVY’s playoff campaign was defined by revenge. The bracket saw them facing Team Solid first — a tight 2–1 victory that tested their composure. In the Upper Final, they met TSM once more, edging them out 2–1 in a nail-biting series to qualify for the grand final.

TSM, led by alvinboy and vora, battled back through the Lower Final with a 3–0 sweep over Team Solid, setting up a rematch. But this time, ENVY left no room for doubt.

The Grand Final was a tactical masterclass. ENVY claimed a 3–1 victory, displaying superior mid-round calling and mechanical depth. Canezerra once again led the scoreboard, posting consistent multi-kills across every map. ion2x contributed with sharp controller gameplay while Inspire anchored defense halves with calm, calculated utility. Eggsterr, playing Yoru, posted a +15 KD and 213 ACS, proving his adaptability was critical to the team’s run.

While TSM’s alvinboy and vora put up strong individual numbers, they couldn’t find the breakthrough to stop ENVY’s structured play.

Why Only One Americas Ascension Slot in 2025

This year’s Americas Ascension featured just one promotion spot, in contrast to the two available in EMEA and Pacific. That’s because G2 Esports’ roster, then Ascension 2023 winners as the Guard, earned automatic retention this year by qualifying for Champions 2025, preserving their top-tier slot. Meanwhile, 2G Esports, the 2024 Ascension winner, were directly relegated after failing to meet competitive and performance requirements — leaving a single opening for ENVY to seize.

The limited slot made the event all the more intense. Every round felt consequential, with top Challengers organizations across both North and South America fighting for a lone golden ticket.

The Rise of New Challengers

Beyond the finalists, the event showcased the depth of talent across the Americas. Winthrop University became fan favorites with creative team comps and fearless executes. 9z Team, ShindeN, and Stellale Gaming impressed in moments despite falling short early.

The level of competition confirmed that the Americas Tier 2 scene is stronger than ever — and ENVY’s success will only inspire more teams to push for international play.

If ENVY’s Ascension victory had a face, it would be canezerra. The duelist standout delivered across every series, combining mechanical precision with composure under pressure. His 253 ACS and +12 KD differential over the event placed him among the top fraggers of the tournament. However, as he is 16 years old, he will be unable to play in VCT next year.

Canezerra’s first-blood impact repeatedly swung rounds in ENVY’s favor. His mix of disciplined aggression and creative pathing on Jett made him a nightmare for enemy defenses. Canezerra embodied what ENVY’s resurgence stands for: calculated aggression, teamwork, and unshakable confidence.

VCT Americas 2026 — Confirmed Teams

ENVY’s 2025 Ascension win is more than a trophy — it’s a full-circle moment for one of VALORANT’s most storied organizations. From their early days as an international powerhouse to rebuilding through Challengers, the journey has been long but worthwhile. Now, with a revitalized roster, clear identity, and renewed confidence, ENVY reclaims their place among the best in the Americas. And if this performance was any indication, their 2026 campaign will be one to watch.