Fans Left Disappointed with Fully Regional Matchups at Valorant Masters London
The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Masters London tournament’s Round 2 draw has disappointed fans by scheduling exclusively regional matchups rather than cross-regional international competition. The Swiss bracket features teams competing only against opponents from their own region, contradicting expectations for what an international esports event should deliver.
Round 2 upper-bracket matches include Vitality vs FUT and NRG vs Leviatán on June 8, while lower-bracket contests on June 9 feature Dragon Ranger Gaming vs Xi Lai Gaming and other regional pairings. This format eliminates the anticipated clash between dominant teams from Valorant’s four major regions—the primary appeal of international Masters tournaments.
The regional-only bracket structure represents a departure from competitive standards that make international esports tournaments compelling. Fans expected to see which region’s teams truly reign supreme globally, but instead face localized competition lacking the ultimate cross-regional test. This scheduling decision raises questions about the VCT’s approach to showcasing genuine international competition at the Masters level.