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.
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:
