China’s three Masters Santiago representatives locked in: ALG, XLG, and EDG qualify

VCT China Kickoff has concluded with three teams punching their tickets to Masters Santiago: All Gamers, Xi Lai Gaming, and EDward Gaming. After three weeks of intense competition at the Poly World Trade Center Expo in Guangzhou, these squads emerged victorious, representing different trajectories within the region’s competitive scene.

All Gamers: First Seed, First International

All Gamers claimed China’s first seed at Santiago after defeating Xi Lai Gaming 3-2 in a grueling upper bracket final. The victory represents multiple firsts for the organization: their first win over XLG, their first regional finish above fifth place, and most significantly, their first qualification to an international event.

The five-map series showcased ALG’s resilience and depth. After dominating Pearl (13-5) and Split (13-11) to take a 2-0 lead, they faced adversity as XLG mounted a comeback to force a decisive fifth map. Haven became the ultimate test of mental fortitude, with XLG building a commanding 10-5 lead before ALG clawed back with eight consecutive rounds to secure the 13-10 victory and their Santiago berth.

ALG’s journey through the bracket was methodical. They opened with a clean 2-0 sweep over Nova Esports in the upper round one, then defeated Bilibili Gaming 2-0 in round two. Their only real scare came against Dragon Ranger Gaming in the upper round three, where they narrowly prevailed 2-1 before facing XLG in the upper final.

Standout Players: The statistical leaders told the story of a balanced roster firing on all cylinders. F4ngeer and Shr1mp led the charge in the grand final, finishing neck-and-neck with 82 and 83 kills respectively across the series. f4ngeer’s consistency throughout Kickoff earned him an impressive 257.5 ACS with an 87% KAST rating across the event. K1ra was crowned Kickoff MVP on the broadcast for his leadership and impact, highlighted by his explosive 31-kill performance on Raze during the Split map. Meanwhile, iamgrq provided crucial anchoring with a 81% KAST, while Au1 stepped up in clutch moments, including a crucial 2v4 alongside Shr1mp in round 21 of Haven that turned the tide of the grand final.

This will be AG’s first showing on the international stage, with all five players, three of whom are rookies in the VCT, getting their chance to prove themselves globally. The team has ample preparation time, as Santiago is still three weeks away, giving them valuable opportunity to refine their strategies and scout their future opponents.

Xi Lai Gaming: The Ascension Squad Continues to Rise

Xi Lai Gaming secured China’s second seed after bouncing back from their upper final loss to defeat Bilibili Gaming 3-2 in a marathon middle bracket final. The Ascension squad continues their impressive trajectory, now qualifying for their third consecutive international event.

XLG’s path to qualification was marked by resilience. After comfortably defeating Wolves Esports 2-0 in upper round two and taking down EDward Gaming 2-0 in upper round three, they faced AG in what became a heartbreaking 2-3 loss in the upper final. Rather than folding, XLG regrouped for the middle bracket gauntlet.

The middle final against BLG tested every ounce of the team’s stamina and mental strength. Despite BLG fielding emergency substitute Biank for Knight due to a medical emergency, the series went the full distance. Both teams traded overtime victories, with BLG taking Abyss 16-14 and Breeze 14-12, while XLG responded with dominant performances on Bind (13-4) and Split (13-4), forcing a decisive Pearl where XLG prevailed 13-11.

Standout Players: Rarga was a force throughout Kickoff, leading the team with explosive entries and midround impact. His 319.0 ACS in the upper bracket rounds and ability to pry open sites made him one of the event’s most feared Duelists. In the middle final alone, he dominated Bind with 19 kills and 190 ADR, constantly creating space for his teammates. Happywei provided the perfect complement as a steady anchor and lurk player, posting a phenomenal 275.5 ACS and crucial clutch performances, including multiple 1vX wins that kept XLG’s momentum alive

NoMan stepped up massively when needed, particularly on Split in the middle final where he terrorized BLG with 22 kills and 201 ADR on Waylay. The supporting cast of WsLeo and Lysoar rounded out a well-balanced roster capable of contributions from all five positions.

XLG won Ascension in 2024, earning their partnership slot, then qualified for Champions 2025 in their first year competing at the highest level and holding on to their VCT slot for another year. Now heading to their second Masters event, the team is establishing themselves as a consistent international contender rather than a one-hit wonder.

EDward Gaming: China’s Legacy Team Stays Alive as Third Seed

EDward Gaming completed a remarkable lower bracket run to claim China’s final Santiago spot, defeating Bilibili Gaming 3-1 in the lower final. The 2024 Champions winners showed their championship pedigree by winning four consecutive matches in the lower bracket to keep their international streak alive.

EDG’s tournament began smoothly with a 2-0 victory over TYLOO in upper round two, but a 0-2 loss to Xi Lai Gaming in upper round three sent them to the lower bracket. What followed was a masterclass in lower bracket navigation. They dispatched Bilibili Gaming 2-1 in middle round three, survived a close 2-1 against JDG Esports in lower round three, then defeated TYLOO again 2-1 in lower round four before eliminating Dragon Ranger Gaming 2-1 in lower round five.

The lower final rematch against BLG, again with BLG fielding substitute Biank, saw EDG at their dominant best. After dropping Pearl 9-13, they rallied to take Haven (13-10), Abyss (13-10), and Split (13-6) to close out the series 3-1.

Standout Players: ZmjjKK reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the world’s elite operator agents and duelist main. In the lower final alone, he put up a staggering 89 kills across four maps with 22 first bloods and consistently opened up rounds for his team. His performance on Abyss (30 kills, eight first bloods, 228 ADR) showcased the aggressive, space-creating playstyle that made him the MVP at Champions 2024.

CHICHOO provided crucial support throughout the bracket run with intelligent util usage and timely frags. The veteran duo of Smoggy and nobody brought championship experience, with Smoggy’s 48% headshot percentage demonstrating his precision, while nobody delivered a clutch 19-8 performance on Split in the lower final. The team’s newest member cb rounded out the roster with solid play, though his -20 K/D differential in the final highlighted the challenges EDG faced in figuring out his fit on the team and coordination overall.

This will be EDG’s tenth international event, making them by far the most experienced Chinese team on the global stage. However, their path to Santiago was notably more difficult than in previous years, suggesting increased competition within the region. The team will be hungry to re-establish their status as China’s premier squad and prove that their Champions victory was no fluke.

We are ready! #VCTCN #VALORANTMasters pic.twitter.com/A7v36cA2nG

— VALORANT Champions Tour CN (@valesports_cn) February 9, 2026

What VCT China Brings to Masters Santiago

China’s three representatives offer distinct styles and storylines heading into Santiago. All Gamers bring fresh faces and unpredictable aggression, having never been scouted on the international stage. Xi Lai Gaming combines the hunger of an Ascension squad with growing international experience and confidence. EDward Gaming carries the weight of championship expectations and the experience of multiple deep tournament runs.

The region’s showing at Kickoff demonstrated remarkable depth, with close series throughout the playoffs and multiple teams capable of challenging for international spots. Bilibili Gaming’s fourth-place finish despite fielding a substitute in crucial matches speaks to the overall strength of China’s top teams. Whether China can translate regional success into international victories remains the question. EDG proved it possible with their Champions 2024 triumph, but consistency across multiple teams at Masters will be the real test. The world will be watching to see how China’s three representatives will fare at the first international event of the year.