Valorant Franchising 2023: Complete Team List and Strategic Analysis

Latest Update: September 19th reports from Blix.gg confirmed initial European team acceptances. We’ve integrated these developments into our comprehensive analysis below.

Riot Games has officially concluded the preliminary application phase for Valorant Championship Tour partnership programs. Based on multiple industry sources and social media indicators, the developer has progressed to final evaluation stages, involving detailed negotiations with candidate organizations. The 2023 competitive structure will feature three distinct regional circuits, each accommodating between 8 and 10 partnered teams.

Our research consolidates all available intelligence and verified data into a single resource. The following esports entities have submitted partnership applications, with several advancing to subsequent evaluation rounds. We maintain continuous monitoring of developments.

EMEA

Confirmed Partnership Organizations

1. Fnatic (Blix.gg)
2. Team Liquid (Dr_ALPH4)
3. Vitality (Blix.gg)
4. KOI (Blix.gg)
5. Karmine Corp (Blix.gg)
6. NAVI (Blix.gg)

Additional Applicant Organizations

• Heretics
• G2 (submitted applications for both North American and European circuits. According to neL reports, rejected following controversy)
• NAVI
• BIG
• BBL
• Rogue
• Excel Esports
• FPX
• Falcons
• Giants

• Guild Esports
• OG
• Istanbul Wildcats
• FUT Esports
• Fire Flux Esports
• Unidentified traditional football organization
• Heroic

These competitive entities represent the organizations progressing to advanced evaluation phases. The comprehensive roster was originally published by Turkish journalist Dr. Kutluhan Alpha, though subsequently removed. Professional player Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel representing Guild Esports, conspicuously absent from initial reports, publicly refuted these claims during broadcast sessions.

Subsequently, Blix correspondent Alejandro Gomis released comparable documentation including Guild, OG and additional entities while excluding Falcons.

Notably, inaugural Valorant Champions titleholders Acend failed to appear in either published iteration, raising questions about selection methodology.

Americas

• TSM (advanced to final consideration)
• 100 Thieves
• Sentinels
• OpTic Gaming
• XSET
• Cloud9 (final phase candidates)
• Evil Geniuses
• The Guard (final consideration)
• Version1 (advanced to final evaluation)
• NRG (final phase candidates)
• G2 Esports (submitted dual-region applications, rejected following Andrew Tate association)
• CLG

The comprehensive Americas roster was compiled by Dot Esports utilizing confidential industry sources. Organizations progressing to final evaluation stages represent those achieving comprehensive application review completion.

Strategic consideration: Teams advancing to shortlist phases typically demonstrate robust financial stability, established brand recognition, and proven competitive track records. This selective process emphasizes Riot’s commitment to sustainable partnership models rather than temporary competitive success.

Asia and Oceania

• DRX (final consideration candidates)
• ORDER

Reported regional allocation distributions from August 9th correspond with previous intelligence from Seulgi.

• APAC (Southeast Asia): 3 partnership slots
• Japan: 3 allocated positions
• Korea: 2 designated spots
• South Asia: 1 available franchise
• Oceania: 1 partnership opportunity

The strategic distribution reflects Riot’s regional development priorities, with established competitive markets receiving greater representation while emerging scenes maintain developmental pathways. This balanced approach ensures both competitive integrity and sustainable growth across diverse markets.

Masters Copenhagen trailer mistakenly uses TF2 org logo instead of VCT 2021 Champions Acend

Teams who were denied by Riot Games or won’t participate in franchising

North American Organizations

• Complexity
• Shopify Rebellion
• KCP (Pioneers)
• Luminosity Gaming
• NYFU
• Akrew
• Immortals
• Renegades
• Built By Gamers
• Noble
• RISE Esports
• Beastcoast
• EUnited
• Dignitas
• Elevate
• Spacestation Gaming
• Serenity
• EQ
• Radiance
• DIVIZE
• SoaR
• DarkZero Esports

Asia-Pacific Region

• Velocity Gaming
• PWR (Lacked competitive roster infrastructure)
• Gen.G (Presumably, given organizational personnel release initiatives)

EMEA Region

• SK Gaming (Absent competitive division, allegedly withdrew voluntarily)
• LDN UTD (Independent from partnership entity OG)

The comprehensive North American documentation was primarily assembled by DarkZero Esports team captain Justin “Trick” Sears. He characterized the compilation as “Valorant NA Graveyard.” Within forty-eight hours, his own competitive organization participated in the documentation, confirming their departure from Valorant competitive landscape.

Shopify Rebellion, denied of Valorant partnership, call it “popularity contest”

Multiple organizations facing application rejection publicly declared their exit from competitive Valorant. NYFU competitors confirmed organizational departure, while Akrew suspended roster operations. These developments rapidly generated community apprehension. Evidence suggests Riot Games failed to adequately communicate developmental strategies for secondary competitive tiers, potentially jeopardizing numerous established esports entities.

Final partnership determinations will proceed through late August, with official announcements potentially occurring during Valorant Champions 2022 championship event. Currently, selection qualification standards remain ambiguous. Future league collaborators will receive complimentary franchise positions, supplemented by Riot Games financial support packages.

Here are all the teams qualified for Valorant Champions 2022