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Top of the League: G2 Esports looks to earn spot in Challengers Circuit for VCT 2023
Swapping Camps
European organization G2 Esports is looking to remain in the Valorant scene for the foreseeable future. The organization was denied partnership with Riot Games, and therefore disallowed from competing in the international leagues for VCT 2023. G2 was reportedly looking to move to compete in the AMERICAS international league, as opposed to expectations for fielding a European team as per their tradition.
According to latest reports by George Geddes, G2 have signed former Version1 coach Ian “Immi” Harding in anticipation of competing. According to a follow-up tweet from data analyst and reputable source FlyNN, G2 is currently in the midst of approaching NA players and are looking to begin trials soon.
[twitter url="https://twitter.com/FlyNN_vlr/status/1582495710607736832"]
Crippled at the 11th Hour
According to multiple sources, Riot had all but approved G2’s initial partnership bid. Not surprising considering G2’s long relationship with the game developer in sister game League of Legends. A popular team with a large fanbase and well marketed, they checked all of Riot’s boxes for a partner team.
Sadly, a now notorious incident would incite drama and negative press against G2 days before the partnership announcement would come through. G2 would be denied partnership following the controversy that suddenly surrounded former G2 CEO Carlos Rodríguez.
Rodríguez had partied with well-known misogynist Andrew Tate and posted the video onto his personal Twitter account.
[twitter url="https://twitter.com/CarlosR/status/1571104421773471750"]
To add fuel to the flame, he fired back at criticism from fans for Tate’s presence, stating ‘I party with whoever the f*** I want.’ The outrage from the incident would result in a temporary suspension for Rodríguez from G2 until Nov 13th, 2022. Riot Games also sanctioned him for ‘[engaging] in activity detrimental to the best interest of the League and Riot Games.’
[twitter url="https://twitter.com/CarlosR/status/1571248041029472261"]
Rodríguez would step down from G2 and part ways following the string of events. G2 meanwhile, had been slated to purchase the former XSET roster as a whole to compete in the AMERICAS league.
[twitter url="https://twitter.com/CarlosR/status/1573426535104532480"]
New Challenge, New Horizon
Now G2 is looking to compete in the Challengers League, the tier below the International League where the partner teams would compete. Competing offers a chance to qualify for partnership via the Ascension circuit.
Based on Riot Games announcement for the format next year, the top three teams in the respective Challenger Leagues would see a qualification to partnership for two years before dropping back down.
The Challengers circuit is scheduled to begin in January 2023, before the International League begins.
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgyvZItV4J4"]
Image credit: G2 Esports
