VALORANT: VCT Pacific Kickoff will determine which teams will represent Asia in VCT Masters Madrid
The stakes are as high as ever in the VALORANT Pacific League this year with 11 teams competing, including Paper Rex and Team Secret.
The VALORANT esports scene is about to kick back into full gear again with the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific League starting its 2024 leg with the VCT Pacific Kickoff.
This year, the stakes are as high as ever with 11 teams competing, including VALORANT Champions runners-up and VCT Pacific 2023 champions Paper Rex (PRX) as well as 2024 Asia Pacific Predator League champions Team Secret.
Bleed Esports will also be joining the lineup this year, after winning VCT Ascension last year.
Being the first tournament of the year, VCT Pacific Kickoff is vital in deciding which teams qualify for Masters Madrid and have the chance to win a significant share of the US$250,000 prize pool. Happening from 17 to 24 February, the VCT Pacific Kickoff will have a new format with some changes this year.
Here’s everything you should know about the competition.
New format: Group Stage, Play-ins, Playoffs
There will be a total of nineteen matches played over eight days during the three stages of Kickoff.
The first stage will consist of three parts with each team being seeded into one of three groups, where the victor of each group will advance to the Playoffs.
In the first phase, the Group Stage, 11 teams will be divided into three groups using a GSL seeding system. PRX will be automatically placed in Group C as the defending champions of VCT Pacific last year. Each match will consist of a best-of-three format.
The second round will be the Play-ins, which will involve a single round-robin (best-of-three) match between the three teams that placed second in the Group Stage. The team that wins in the Play-ins stage will move on to the Playoffs.
Phase three concludes with the playoffs, where teams compete in a single-elimination bracket. Going to VALORANT Masters Madrid are the top two teams.
Schedule
VCT Pacific Kickoff begins on 17 February and extends until 25 February. Matches will happen according to this schedule:
Group Stage (17 - 21 February):
Matches on 17, 19, 21 February 17, 19, and 21 start at 15:00 KST or 14:00 Singapore Time.
Matches on 18 and 20 February 18 and 20 start at 17:00 KST or 16:00 Singapore Time.
Play-ins (22 February):
Matches start at 15:00 KST or 14:00 Singapore Time.
Playoffs (24 - 25 February):
Matches start at 17:00 KST or 16:00 Singapore Time.
For the latest VCT Pacific schedule, check VALORANTESPORTS.com for updates throughout the event.
Immersive Onsite activities: Icebox Pop-up at S FACTORY
In an immersive celebration of VALORANT, S FACTORY introduces the Icebox experience, bringing the iconic map to life. Visitors can step into a pop-up venue meticulously designed to mirror the industrial setting and snowy elements of Icebox, offering an authentic glimpse into the game's environment.
Beyond the frozen battlefield, S FACTORY houses official VCT Pacific and Riot merchandise, featuring shirts, caps, and accessories for enthusiasts to explore.
Champions countdown Spike
The iconic Spike takes center stage at S FACTORY, symbolizing the launch of VCT Pacific and initiating the countdown towards Champions 2024. Visitors are invited to snap photos with the planted Spike, capturing the excitement of this VALORANT celebration.
VCT Photo Booths
VALORANT and VCT-themed photo zones offer a backdrop for enthusiasts to capture the excitement. Unique props are available to enhance the experience, allowing attendees to fully express their fandom through memorable snapshots.
Fan sign walls
Showcasing support for favorite teams, attendees can leave words of encouragement and passion on dedicated fan sign walls. This interactive element adds a personal touch to the event, fostering a sense of community among VALORANT enthusiasts at S FACTORY.
Where will VCT Pacific Kickoff take place and where can I buy tickets?
VCT Pacific Kickoff has chosen S FACTORY as its venue, situated in Seongsu-Dong, known for its vibrant youth culture. The decision follows feedback from fans seeking a more accessible location.
For non-Korean residents, tickets can be purchased through the ticket websiteby entering keywords like "VCT Pacific" or "VALORANT" in the search bar. The platform is available in English and Japanese, ensuring a straightforward process for seat selection and checkout.
Korean fans can find tickets on a separate website.
Where can I watch the tournament?
If you’re watching online, VCT Pacific Kickoff will be available in eight languages across official pages:
VCT Pacific Kickoff action through local language broadcasts at the following links:
English
AfreecaTV: VALORANT_EN
Twitch: VALORANT Pacific
YouTube:VCT Pacific
Korean
YouTube: VCT KR
AfreecaTV: VALORANT공식
Naver: Naver e스포츠
Japanese
Twitch: VALORANT JP
YouTube: VALORANT JP
Bahasa Indonesia
Twitch: VALORANT ID
YouTube: VALORANT Esports Indonesia
Thai
AfreecaTV: VALORANT_TH
Twitch: VALORANT TH
YouTube: VALORANTesportsTH
Vietnamese
YouTube: VALORANTesportsVN
Mandarin
Twitch: VALORANT TW
YouTube:VALORANTesportsTW
Hindi
YouTube: VALORANTEsportsSA
Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.
For more esports news updates, visit https://yhoo.it/YahooEsportsSEA and check out Yahoo Esports Southeast Asia’s Facebook page and Twitter, as well as our Gaming channel on YouTube.