VCT Format Debate: Masters London Champion Leviatán Misses Champions Shanghai – Who's to Blame?

When the final buzzer of the Masters London grand final sounded in late June, Valorant fans worldwide witnessed one of the year's most beautiful fairytales: Leviatán, the Latin American underdog, toppled giants to claim the crown. But just weeks later, the victory atmosphere evaporated. The team officially failed to qualify for Champions Shanghai, Valorant's most prestigious event. A paradox emerged: the champion of an international tournament had no spot at the world championship. The question arises: is the VCT point system unfair? Or did Leviatán itself throw away its chance? The VCT Points system – the arbiter of fate – works as a season-long measuring stick. Teams accumulate points through Kickoff, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Masters. Leviatán started the season with a massive handicap: star player Bruno ‘Neon’ Rodríguez could not compete at Kickoff due to VCT age restrictions. This was a huge blow to a lineup built around this young talent. Consequently, Leviatán earned very few points in the opening phase, starting the race with a significant deficit against rivals. Even after winning Masters London, Leviatán only had a total of 15 VCT points. This was far too little compared to the top two teams in the Americas region, NRG and G2 Esports, who steadily accumulated points across the stages. VCT Americas is described as one of the “toughest” regions, home to many world-class teams. With a limited number of slots for Champions, only teams with the best seasonal performance can attend. This creates an ironic reality: an international champion can stay home while teams without a major trophy qualify for Champions. Beyond the system, Leviatán also made tactical mistakes that worsened the situation. During Stage 2, when facing weaker opponents, they decided to experiment with new lineups and strategies. Most notably, they self-banned Split – a map where they had an 11-win streak. Instead of using the Neon–Phoenix duo that defined their success, they opted for unfamiliar compositions to prepare for Champions. But with qualification not yet secured, this overconfidence cost them valuable points. Insiders also offer mixed views. Sliggy, former pro player and now a popular caster, said on live stream: “Leviatán can blame the system, but the truth is they shot themselves in the foot. When you have clear strengths on Split and the devastating Neon-Phoenix duo, abandoning them is a puzzling decision. They should have prioritized qualification first, then experimented.” This view highlights that despite format flaws, Leviatán still had a chance if they played to their strengths. However, it is undeniable that a Masters champion missing Champions reveals a flaw in how Riot Games designed the system. Other esports like League of Legends or Dota 2 typically grant an automatic berth to the MSI or Major winner. In Valorant, the lack of an automatic slot for the Masters winner reduces the prestige of the tournament in the eyes of the audience. Sponsors and media partners are also affected, as a major star’s absence from Champions diminishes the event’s value. From a regional perspective, Leviatán belongs to VCT Americas – the most fiercely competitive region on the planet. If the same 15 points were in a weaker region like Asia Pacific or China, Leviatán would easily qualify. This reveals an imbalance in the system: a strong region must sacrifice its best teams due to limited slots, while weaker regions benefit. Many argue that Riot should consider adding a champion's auto-qualification for the Masters winner, similar to LoL's MSI slot. For Leviatán, this is a costly lesson. They entered the season as heavy favorites, but age restrictions, tactical errors, and overconfidence pushed them out of the biggest stage. Yet the roster remains intact, Neon is maturing, and the team's spirit is still strong. The 2027 season promises a chance for a powerful comeback. The bigger question is whether Riot Games will listen to the community. Public pressure, team voices, and the tournament's own value may force the publisher to adjust the format. Changes such as awarding bonus points for the Masters winner or adjusting regional slots based on strength could be solutions. In esports history, similar controversies have often led to important reforms. On the flip side, not all is negative. The fierce competition in VCT Americas proves the growth of South American esports. Leviatán remains a formidable force and could repeat their international feats in the future. Only this year, fans will watch Champions without their favorite team. In conclusion, Leviatán's story is a clear mirror reflecting the shortcomings of VCT's competition system. Will Riot dare to admit and change? The answer will come when Champions Shanghai concludes, and the community's voices continue. Until then, Leviatán must stay home and watch others compete – a bitter reality for a Masters champion.