VALORANT Champions 2025: Full Team Tier List and Analysis

VCT Champions 2025 is the most anticipated Valorant event of the year, gathering the top teams from around the world. With representatives from EMEA, APAC, and Americas, the tournament promises a unique level of competition and diverse playstyles. In this article, we provide a full tier list, analyzing each team’s potential, strengths, weaknesses, and realistic chances based on recent performances and meta trends.

VALORANT Champions 2025 Paris Teams

Sixteen teams from four different regions will participate in Champions Paris. Each region is represented by four teams, and their seeding was based on their performance in regional tournaments. Winners of the regional championships received the top seeds, while the remaining spots were allocated according to their standings and championship points.

The competition this year will be fierce, and anyone can contribute to the tournament's prize pool by purchasing the Valorant Champions 2025 Bundle, which includes a Vandal skin, a butterfly knife, and the Flex cosmetic.

Favorites: Paper Rex and G2

At the very top, two teams clearly stand out as favorites: Paper Rex and G2 Esports.

Paper Rex is in exceptional form, consistently dominating their regional competitions. Their aggressive playstyle, high individual skill, and excellent team coordination make them one of the most dangerous squads in the tournament. They are a team that thrives under pressure, often controlling rounds with speed and precision.

G2 Esports, led by standout player Leaf, is another powerhouse that combines strategic depth with mechanical skill. G2’s ability to adapt mid-game and execute complex strategies allows them to compete at the highest level. While Paper Rex currently shows slightly better form, G2’s experience and versatility keep them firmly in the conversation as title contenders. Both teams have multiple regional trophies and proven international success, placing them in a league of their own.

Contenders: Liquid, Fnatic, Heretics, and Sentinels

The Contenders tier features teams that have the potential to win the tournament but currently sit just below the favorites.

Team Liquid has secured their regional stage victory and demonstrates strong synergy and consistent play, though they still lag behind Paper Rex and G2 in raw skill and international experience.

Fnatic has considerable potential but faces challenges with a limited map pool and a sometimes slow-paced strategy that can cost crucial rounds. For a deep run, they must adapt their approach and adjust timing in key situations.

Team Heretics benefit from a favorable change in the map pool, as their historically weakest map, Icebox, is no longer included. While their recent playoff form was inconsistent, they retain a high ceiling and can challenge stronger teams if their players perform at their best.

Sentinels, historically strong and consistent, are also contenders. Despite some recent fluctuations in performance, their experience, individual skill, and adaptable playstyle make them a serious threat in group stages and playoffs alike. Between Liquid, Heretics, Fnatic, and Sentinels, Liquid is slightly more reliable, but all four teams are capable of high-level results and potential upsets against the favorites.

Dark Horses: RRQ, BLG, NRG and T1 Esports

The Dark Horses tier consists of teams that are not immediate favorites but have the potential to surprise the field and make deep runs.

RRQ has displayed flashes of brilliance and could capitalize on momentum to achieve strong results.

BLG stands out with unpredictable strategies that can catch opponents off guard, creating opportunities for unexpected victories.

T1, often underestimated throughout the year, has the capability to deliver crucial results through smart plays at key moments.

NRG, a solid North American team, could also cause upsets, particularly through unconventional strategies at the international stage. Although these teams may not be favorites, their creativity and high-risk, high-reward approaches make them dangerous in the right circumstances.

Solid Teams: DRG, GIANTX and EDward Gaming

The Solid Teams tier includes squads that are generally consistent but predictable.

DRG is known for unusual compositions and inventive strategies, which can occasionally lead to victories against stronger opponents at international events.

GIANTX, a strong European squad, demonstrates reliable performance regionally but may face challenges against faster, more adaptive teams from Asia.

EDG, last year’s champions, still possess top-tier individual talent but have shown inconsistent results. While these teams can influence matches and achieve respectable results, winning the tournament would require flawless execution and favorable circumstances.

Making Up the Numbers: MIBR, XLG and DRX

The Making Up the Numbers tier features teams that are unlikely to progress far in the tournament but still play an important role in the competitive ecosystem.

MIBR failed to reach playoffs in their regional league and are not expected to challenge top-tier squads.

XLG functions mainly as a supporting or experimental team, providing interesting matchups for fans rather than serious championship contention.

DRX occasionally showed promise during the group stages, but their inconsistency and limited map pool prevent them from competing at the highest level. While these teams may secure a few wins, their overall impact on the final standings is expected to be minimal.

Map Pools and Strategic Notes

Map selection is a critical factor in VCT Champions 2025. Teams like Paper Rex and G2 excel across almost all maps, giving them a strategic advantage. Meanwhile, Contenders and Dark Horses may exploit less familiar strategies or unconventional compositions to surprise stronger opponents. Changes in the map pool, such as the removal of Icebox for Team Heretics, can significantly impact tournament outcomes. Adaptation and understanding opponent tendencies will be key for success.

Tier List Summary

In summary, the VCT Champions 2025 Tier List looks as follows:

• Favorites: Paper Rex, G2
• Contenders: Team Liquid, Fnatic, Team Heretics, Sentinels
• Dark Horses: RRQ, BLG, T1, NRG
• Solid Teams: DRG, GIANTX, EDG
• Making Up the Numbers: MIBR, XLG, DRX

While the favorites are clear, the tournament format allows for surprises. Contenders and Dark Horses could achieve unexpected victories, making the playoffs unpredictable and exciting. International competition always introduces uncertainty, which makes VCT Champions 2025 one of the most thrilling events of the year.

VALORANT Champions 2025, the main VALORANT tournament of the year, is taking place in Paris from September 12 to October 5. Sixteen of the best teams in the world will compete for a $2.25 million prize pool. The competition begins with a GSL-style group stage, where each group consists of four teams, and only the top two from each group advance to the playoffs. Participants represent the four main regions: EMEA, the Americas, the Pacific, and China. Notably, the GIANTX team from Malaga makes its world debut, facing Sentinels in the first match of Group A. The tournament is held across two locations: the group stage at Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud and the finals at Accor Arena in the heart of Paris.