Riot Games has officially announced that Valorant Ascension Americas 2025 will return to Brazil, taking place in São Paulo this October. The tournament introduces a revamped format with an expanded eight-team main event and a $100,000 prize pool, determining which teams will secure promotion to VCT Americas 2026.
Expanded Tournament Format Unveiled
The 2025 edition of Ascension Americas brings significant changes to the tournament structure. Unlike previous years' six-team format, the main event will now feature eight teams competing through three distinct phases: Play-In, Swiss, and Playoffs. This expansion creates more opportunities for regional talent to showcase their skills on the international stage.
The tournament will feature top Challengers teams from Brazil, Latin America, and North America, with the exact composition depending on how invited teams G2 and 2G perform in the current VCT Americas season. Based on their performance evaluation, these organizations may extend their VCT Americas stay, defend their spot in Ascension, or face relegation.
New Play-In Phase Introduced
A key innovation for 2025 is the Play-In phase, featuring third-seed teams from Brazil, Latin America, and North America Challengers leagues. This single round-robin will determine which teams advance to the main event, with the number of qualifying teams dependent on how many invited teams participate in Ascension.
Following the Play-In, eight teams will battle through a Swiss Phase with best-of-three matches. Teams achieving a 2-0 record advance directly to Playoffs, while those going 0-2 are eliminated. The four surviving teams enter a Double-Elimination Playoff bracket, with Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final matches played as best-of-five series.
What's at Stake for Competing Teams?
Beyond the $100,000 prize pool, Ascension Americas 2025 offers the ultimate reward: promotion to Valorant's premier competitive tier. The tournament winner is guaranteed a spot in VCT Americas 2026, with the possibility of both finalists securing promotion if both invited teams are relegated from the current season.
This tournament represents the culmination of the Road to Pro journey for Valorant teams across the Americas region. Exact dates and ticket information for the São Paulo event will be announced in the coming months, as the Challengers League season continues to unfold.
Promotion and Relegation System
The tournament format adjustments stem from Riot's updated promotion and relegation system announced in 2024. Under these guidelines, invited VCT Americas teams are evaluated based on their performance throughout the season, determining whether they maintain their league position, compete in Ascension to defend it, or face direct relegation to Challengers.
This dynamic system introduces variable scenarios for Ascension, as the number of teams advancing to VCT Americas 2026 will depend on how many invited teams are relegated from the current season—potentially creating opportunities for one or two Ascension teams to secure promotion.