Valorant Champions Tour 2021: NA Stage 1 Masters - Schedule, teams, prize pool, where to watch, and more

It's finally time, after weeks of competition leading up to this, the Valorant Champions Tour Stage 1 Masters event is right around the corner, with all eyes of the North American scene set on eight teams that will look to assert dominance over the region.

With big organizations like TSM and T1 missing out, fan-favourites such as Sentinels, 100 Thieves, and Immortals will face new contenders for NA's Valorant throne.

Without further ado, let's take a look at everything you need to know about the 2021 VCT Stage 1 Masters NA.

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Teams

FaZe qualified during the last Challengers event (Image: FaZe Clan)

The eight qualified teams are as follows:

• Team Envy (Challengers 2)
• Sentinels (Challengers 2)
• Immortals (Challengers 2)
• XSET (Challengers 2)
• FaZe Clan (Challengers 3)
• 100 Thieves (Challengers 3)
• Luminosity Gaming (Challengers 3)
• Gen.G Esports (Challengers 3)

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Start time and schedule

(Image: Riot Games)

The VCT Stage 1 Masters NA kicks-off this upcoming 11th March at 12:00pm PST (8:00pm GMT) with the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. 

The tournament will run until the 21st when the Grand Finals are played.

Here's the full schedule:

• 11th March - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals
• 12th March - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals
• 13th March - Lower Bracket Round 1
• 14th March - Upper Bracket Semifinals
• 19th March - Upper Bracket Final and Lower Bracket Round 2
• 20th March - Lower Bracket Round 3 and Lower Bracket Final
• 21st March - Grand Finals

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Format

As we've mentioned, the tournament is a double-elimination bracket with all teams starting on the Upper Bracket. Each series is a Best-of-Three up until the Grand Finals, which are a Best-of-Five.

The team that reaches the Finals from the Upper Bracket will start the series with a 1-0 advantage, meaning they only have to win two maps during the series.

• Read more: Sentinels announces TenZ as Sinatraa replacement for VCT Masters
  

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Results

Take a look at the bracket down below, we'll update it as the tournament progresses. 

(Image: Liquipedia)

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Prize pool

The prize pool breakdown is as follows:

• 1st - $60,000
• 2nd - $30,000
• 3rd-4th - $15,000
• 5th-8th - $7,500

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Broadcast talent

Here are the analysts and casters that will bring you all the VCT Stage 1 Masters NA action:

(Image: Riot Games)

CASTERS:

• Daniel "ddk" Kapadia
• Sean Gares
• Rivington "RivingtonThe3rd" Bisland III
• Doug "EsportsDoug" Cortez

ANALYSTS:

• Mark "boq" Wilson
• Alex "Vansilli" Nguyen
• Christine "potter" Chi
• Loviel "Velly" Cardwell
• Sue “Smix” Lee

VCT 2021: Stage 1 Masters NA - Where to watch

You can catch all the action on the Valorant Esports NA Twitch channel. 

There are also plenty of official co-streamers Riot revealed, here's the full lineup including the likes of Myth, Ninja, Shroud, and Pokimane: