VCT Format Controversy: Masters London Champion Leviatán Misses Champions Shanghai

Just weeks after lifting the Masters London trophy, Leviatán – the standout team from the Americas region – received a bitter blow: they failed to qualify for Champions Shanghai, the most prestigious Valorant tournament of 2026. This event has sparked a heated debate within the esports community: Is the VCT points system truly fair? And should an international champion be given priority in the race for the world championship? Leviatán won Masters London with impressive form, defeating top opponents from the EMEA and Pacific regions. However, under the current VCT format, qualification for Champions is determined by points accumulated throughout the season, including Kickoff, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Masters. The teams with the highest total points in each region earn their spots. Leviatán only managed 15 points over the entire season, while rivals like NRG and G2 Esports stayed ahead thanks to their consistency in the earlier stages. The main reason for Leviatán's downfall was the absence of their young star Bruno 'Neon' Rodríguez during the Kickoff stage. Neon, who later won MVP at Masters London, could not play due to VCT age restrictions (players must be at least 18). His absence cost Leviatán precious points from the very start of the season. The team's head coach had to adjust with an incomplete roster, leading to subpar results. Beyond the objective factors, Leviatán also put themselves in a difficult position. During Stage 2, after gaining some advantage from their Masters performance, the team made risky tactical changes: they self-banned their strongest map Split (where they had an 11-match win streak) and experimented with unfamiliar compositions instead of the tested Neon-Phoenix playstyle. Renowned analyst Sliggy commented: 'They brought this upon themselves. When you've already won Masters, you shouldn't gamble like that when qualification isn't guaranteed.' Sliggy believes Leviatán's decisions showed overconfidence, although the team may have wanted to experiment in preparation for Champions – but in the end, they ran out of time. This situation becomes even more bitter considering the VCT Americas region is described as 'absolutely stacked'. Besides Leviatán, there are NRG, G2 Esports, 100 Thieves, and several other strong teams. With limited slots (usually 3-4 teams per region for Champions), Leviatán's 15 points were insufficient. If they were in a weaker region like China or Pacific, they would almost certainly have secured a spot. This raises questions about fairness between regions: should a Masters champion be eliminated simply because they compete in a region that is too strong? The Esports Insider article has fuelled this debate, pointing out that the VCT points system prioritises seasonal consistency over peak performance. Meanwhile, many fans argue that a team winning an international tournament should receive a direct invitation to Champions. However, Riot Games – the publisher of Valorant – has yet to respond officially. Esports history shows that similar controversies have occurred in League of Legends or Dota 2, sometimes leading to format changes. From a sports perspective, Leviatán remains a strong team. They proved their class at Masters and will be a heavy favourite for the next season. But this story serves as a warning to all teams: do not become complacent even at the peak. At the same time, it pushes Riot to reconsider their points system. Should a special berth be added for Masters champions? Or should the points bonus for winning international events be increased? In the near future, the community will closely watch Riot's response. If the format changes, the entire competitive strategy of teams will also shift. As for Leviatán, they still have opportunities next season – but the lesson about consistency and caution will stay with them forever. This event not only shocked fans but also marks an important chapter in the history of Valorant esports. The debate over the VCT format will undoubtedly continue, and the final answer lies with Riot Games.