Which teams are partnered with VALORANT VCT in China?

China’s entry into the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) with its own dedicated league in 2024 marks a significant milestone. Riot Games, the developer of VALORANT, has announced the 10 partner teams that will compete in the inaugural season of VCT China. This move expands the VCT ecosystem to include China as the fourth major region, alongside the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific leagues that were established in 2023.

In this article, we will provide a brief introduction to the 10 partner teams selected for VCT China, as well as the promoted team Dragon Ranger Gaming. While some of these partner organizations may be recognizable to Western audiences due to their involvement in games like League of Legends and Counter-Strike, others may be less familiar outside of China.

All Gamers

While not as widely known as some of the other teams in VCT China, All Gamers has a strong reputation among CrossFire enthusiasts, especially in China. The organization has achieved remarkable success in CrossFire, with more than 10 wins in the CrossFire Pro League and a victory in the 2021 CrossFire Stars, the game’s World Championship.

In China’s League of Legends competition, the LPL, All Gamers competes under the name Anyone’s Legend. With its establishment dating back to 1999, the team holds the distinction of being one of the oldest organizations on the list.

FunPlus Phoenix

FPX, a well-known organization in the world of League of Legends and Counter-Strike, brings a strong and experienced presence to the VCT China competition. Since its establishment in 2017, FPX has operated in various markets, showcasing its prowess. The company is owned by FunPlus, a Chinese game development company, and has previously made a name for itself in CS:GO before disbanding its roster. Notably, FPX made a significant move in 2021 by acquiring the CS:GO roster of GODSENT.

Compared to other teams, FPX has extensive experience in high-level VALORANT play, although their accomplishments have primarily been in the EMEA region. In 2022, the organization secured a 4th place finish at VALORANT Champions and emerged as the champions of VCT Stage 2 Masters, solidifying its status as one of the more successful Chinese organizations on the international stage. FPX also represented China as the second team in the VCT LOCK//IN tournament.

Wolves Esports

Wolves Esports, a venture of the Premier League football club Wolverhampton Wanderers, emerges as a result of the club’s ambitious expansion into the Chinese market. Beyond its involvement in VALORANT, Wolves Esports competes in Call of Duty Mobile, where it boasts one of the strongest teams in both China and the global arena. The organization celebrated remarkable victories, clinching the Call of Duty Mobile World Championship in 2023 and triumphing in the Snapdragon Pro Series Season 3 held in China.

While Wolves Esports maintains operations in Europe, its most notable achievements have been attained in Asia. Alongside VALORANT and Call of Duty, the organization actively participates in various other games, including Rainbow Six, Street Fighter, and Honor of Kings, among several others.

Trace Esports

Trace Esports, although not widely recognized, is a participant in VCT China. The team has gained prominence through its Wild Rift roster, consistently performing well in regional B-tier events. In the early stages of 2024, Trace Esports showcased their skills with a commendable performance in the China Conference of the Wild Rift League Asia 2023 Season 2.

While Trace Esports is relatively new to PC gaming, they have already made their mark outside of the VCT. The team previously competed in the VCT Champions qualifiers in China, where they faced off against FPX but unfortunately fell short of qualifying for the Champions event.

JD Gaming

JD Gaming is a well-known organization celebrated for its accomplishments in League of Legends. In 2023, they emerged victorious in two LPL splits, conquered the Mid-Season Invitational, and advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 World Championship, ultimately falling to the eventual champions, T1. The team also boasts a competitive Wild Rift squad, which achieved an impressive second-place finish at the Chinese WRL in 2022.

In the realm of VALORANT, JD Gaming showcased their skills in the local Evolution Series tournament held in China. It’s worth noting that JD Gaming is under the ownership of the prominent Chinese ecommerce website, JD.com.

Nova Esports

Nova Esports is a well-known name in the world of mobile gaming, with a strong presence in games like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Arena of Valor. The organization operates in both China and Europe, actively participating in the competitive scene of Call of Duty Mobile. In 2023, Nova Esports expanded its reach by entering the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene, and in 2021, they achieved a remarkable feat by winning the PUBG Mobile Global Championship.

Originally established in 2016 as a Class of Clans clan, Nova Esports quickly established itself as one of the notable mobile esports organizations in the country. According to their website, the team solely focuses on mobile games, with VALORANT being the only PC title they currently invest in.

TYLOO

TYLOO, a well-established esports organization hailing from China, boasts an impressive track record in the realm of FPS games. Particularly in the realm of Counter-Strike, TYLOO has garnered immense popularity in Asia throughout its extensive history. First founded in 2007, TYLOO can be credited as a pioneer in the Chinese Counter-Strike scene, contributing significantly to the growth and appeal of the game within the country. With their wealth of experience in tactical FPS games, TYLOO undeniably holds a competitive edge in the genre.

Recently, TYLOO successfully secured a spot in the prestigious IEM Chengdu 2024 tournament, adding to their impressive roster of appearances in past BLAST and ESL events.

Although primarily focused on Counter-Strike, TYLOO has begun to expand its presence in the world of VALORANT. While their involvement in VCT China was limited, the team actively participated in local and regional tournaments, aligning with other teams on this list.

Titan Esports Club

Titan, though more recognized by Chinese audiences, has gained significant prominence within the country for its outstanding PUBG Mobile team competing in the prestigious Peacekeeper Elite League. Founded in 2021, the team notably clinched victory in the Summer edition of the Peacekeeper Elite League in 2023, solidifying its reputation as one of the game’s most accomplished squads.

In the realm of VALORANT, Titan has yet to leave a lasting impression, despite having prior involvement in the game. The team participated in the VALORANT China Evolution Series Act 3, securing a respectable 5th place finish in the tournament.

Edward Gaming

Edward Gaming, based in Shanghai, has made a name for itself with its impressive accomplishments across various games and genres. One of its most notable achievements includes winning the League of Legends World Championship in 2021 and the Mid-Season Invitational in 2015.

When it comes to VALORANT, Edward Gaming has actively participated in several major international tournaments. The team successfully qualified for VALORANT Champions in both 2022 and 2023, as well as VCT Masters Tokyo 2023. Alongside BiliBili Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix, Edward Gaming stands as one of the most successful Chinese VALORANT organizations on the international stage.

Additionally, Edward Gaming was one of the two Chinese organizations to compete in the previous year’s VCT LOCK//IN tournament, with FunPlus Phoenix being the other representative. This demonstrates the organization’s continued presence and competitive spirit in the VALORANT scene.

BiliBili Gaming

BiliBili Gaming, a Chinese esports organization, made waves in 2023 when they reached the semi-finals of the prestigious League of Legends World Championship. The organization is owned by Bilibili.com, a popular Chinese video sharing platform. BiliBili Gaming stands as one of the more seasoned and established VALORANT teams in China, having competed in VALORANT Champions 2023 and achieving a top ten placement.

BiliBili Gaming has consistently proven their competitiveness in the VALORANT scene, displaying strong performances in international tournaments for over two years. Furthermore, the organization previously owned the Hangzhou Spark franchise in the Overwatch League, though the competition unfortunately disbanded in 2023.

Dragon Ranger Gaming

Dragon Ranger Gaming made a splash in late 2023 when they claimed victory in the inaugural Ascension tournament, earning the distinction of being the first team promoted to VCT China. The organization is renowned for its success in the mobile MOBA game, Honor of Kings, where they achieved a remarkable second-place finish in the Honor of Kings International Championship 2022 and excelled in various other prestigious tournaments, amassing several million pounds in prize money between 2018 and 2023.

In the realm of VALORANT, DRG competed in the Chinese qualifiers for VALORANT Champions 2023 and also participated in the China Evolution Series. However, their most noteworthy accomplishment to date is securing promotion to VCT China for the next two years, solidifying their position in the highly competitive VALORANT landscape.