VALORANT Premier Stage Episode 9 Act 1: All you need to know

VALORANT Premier Stage Episode 9 Act 1: All you need to know

Kaustavmani Choudhury

20 May, 2024, 18:04

|

Last updated: 9 Apr, 2025, 22:33

VALORANT is set to launch Premier Stage Episode 9 Act 1 on June 27th. This season of Premier brings significant changes, including the much-anticipated Invite Division, which marks the pinnacle of in-game competition.

The New ‘Invite Division’

The Invite Division is now the highest level of competition within VALORANT's Premier mode. Teams that emerge victorious in this division have the opportunity to qualify for one of the VCT Challenger Leagues worldwide. This new tier represents the final step in Riot Games' vision for Path to Pro, offering a direct route for upcoming players to enter professional leagues.

With the introduction of the Invite Division, Riot Games completes its long-term vision for Path to Pro. Aspiring players can now form teams, compete in tournaments, and climb the ranks directly through the in-game Premier mode. This streamlined process provides a clear and accessible path for amateur players to advance to the professional level.

Learn more about the new Invite Division HERE.

Roster Restrictions

To ensure competitive integrity, players must be Contender Eligible to join a team in either the Contender Division or the Invite Division. This restriction maintains a high standard of play and ensures that only the best players can compete at the highest levels.

Weekly Matches and Playoffs

Teams will participate in two matches per week. Match queues open 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. If a team cannot find a match, they will be awarded a Bye. Teams that lose will receive zero points.

The top teams in each division will advance to the Playoffs, culminating in a Best-of-3 Finals. This format ensures that the most consistent and skilled teams have a chance to prove themselves in high-stakes matches.

Premier Season Schedule

The new Premier Season kicks off on June 27th. Queue timings will vary by region, with detailed information available in-game. Below is the weekly map pool for the season:

  • June 27 to June 30: Lotus
  • July 3 to July 7: Bind
  • July 10 to July 14: Haven
  • July 17 to July 21: Icebox
  • July 24 to July 28: Sunset
  • July 31 to August 4: Abyss
  • August 7 to August 10: Ascent
  • August 11: Playoffs

Premier Stage Episode 9 Act 1 is set to elevate VALORANT’s competitive scene, offering players a clear path to professional play through the new Invite Division. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting chapter in the world of competitive VALORANT.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games

Read More:

Valorant Battle Pass: Everything You Need to Know

How to Play VALORANT’s Newest Map Abyss: A First Look

Riot Games Unveils Major Updates for Game Changers

Latest news

"At least give us one opportunity" - Coach Fury on the State of South African Valorant

"At least give us one opportunity" - Coach Fury on the State of South African Valorant

Six years on from the game’s launch, VALORANT continues to grow and inspire new generations of players with its dizzying heights — selling a dream that one day, just maybe, they could stand at the pinnacle of the game’s competitive scene and do the same for another. But for a country like South Africa (ZA), the VALORANT dream is a pipe dream.
4h
Foo Zen-Wen

Esports Nations Cup 2026 VALORANT Rosters: All Rumored and Confirmed National Teams

The Esports Nations Cup 2026 could be the most competitive international VALORANT event of the year. Set for November 8–15 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the tournament will bring together 32 national teams vying for glory on the global stage. With the national rankings cut-off not arriving until June 21, 2026, rosters are still taking shape, but plenty of names have already started surfacing across regions. Here's everything we know about confirmed and rumored lineups heading into the tournament.
14h
Kaustavmani Choudhury

VALORANT Patch 13.00 Full Breakdown: Sentinel Buffs, New Map Summit, Retake Mode & More

VALORANT's V26 Act 4 kicks off with Patch 13.00—one of the most content-rich updates in recent memory. From sweeping Sentinel buffs and Initiator cooldown reductions to a brand-new map and limited-time mode, here's everything you need to know.
23 Jun
Kaustavmani Choudhury

Leviatán Are Crowned Champions of VALORANT Masters London

In what may go down as one of the greatest grand finals in VALORANT esports history, Leviatán completed a storybook lower bracket run to claim the Masters London trophy, defeating Paper Rex 3-2 in a pulsating five-map thriller. The young Latin American squad have made history in more ways than one, and the esports world is taking notice.
21 Jun
Kaustavmani Choudhury

VALORANT Introduces New Battlepass and Blackspyre Skin Collection in V26 Act 4

Set to arrive on June 24, VALORANT Season 2026 // Act 4 will introduce a premium skin collection and a seasonal Battlepass. Here's more.
21 Jun
Adarsh J. Kumar

VALORANT New Map Summit Revealed Alongside New Retakes Game Mode

Riot Games has officially announced Summit, VALORANT's newest map, and it arrives with one of the most tactically disruptive mechanics the game has ever seen. Set in a breathtaking Radiant training academy perched in the mountains of China, Summit launches on June 24, 2026, and it's coming straight to Competitive queue on day one.
21 Jun
Kaustavmani Choudhury

Paper Rex vs Leviatán: VALORANT Masters London Grand Finals Preview, Prediction, Stream Details, and More

The Copper Box Arena is ready! Tomorrow, June 21, Americas representative Leviatán will face VALORANT’s final boss — Paper Rex — in the Bo5 Masters London 2026 Grand Finals!
20 Jun
Ganesh Jadhav

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match