VCT Qualification Debate: Masters London Champion Leviatán Misses Champions Shanghai

How can a team that just won an international tournament fail to qualify for the world championship? That's the question heating up the global Valorant community, and now it's also reaching Vietnamese fans who followed Leviatán's journey at Masters London. Leviatán, a South American team, made history by winning Masters London 2026, defeating a host of strong opponents. However, just weeks later, they received the bad news: no spot at Champions Shanghai, the most prestigious event of the year. The reason? The VCT points system, which prioritizes consistency throughout the season, did not forgive Leviatán's slow start. How does the VCT points system work? Teams accumulate points through Kickoff, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Masters. Leviatán earned only 15 points after winning Masters, but their total points still fell short of NRG and G2 Esports, who maintained steady performance from the start. The Americas region is described as 'absolutely stacked', where even world champions can be eliminated. This raises the question: should Riot Games grant a special berth to the Masters winner, as major tournaments like League of Legends do? However, if we only look at the system, we miss an important part: Leviatán's own mistakes. According to analysis by former pro Sliggy, the team shot themselves in the foot. They banned Split – their best map with an 11-0 record – and experimented with a Neon-Phoenix composition that wasn't their strength. These were puzzling tactical decisions, especially when they needed points for a berth. Additionally, the team lost young star Neon during the Kickoff stage due to age restrictions (age 17). This absence cost them points from the start, and even winning Masters couldn't compensate. So what lessons for Vietnamese esports? Domestic teams, like those in VCT Pacific or smaller tournaments, need to understand that a big win does not guarantee a spot in the next event. Consistency is key. If Riot doesn't change the format, Vietnamese teams must calculate points from the very first match, rather than waiting until the final stretch. Behind this controversy lies a harsh reality: the esports industry, though growing, is still struggling to balance rewards for peak performance and fairness across the entire season. Leviatán is not the only victim; they are proof of a system still being tested. The question remains: Will Riot dare to change, or will they let champions continue to fight for a spot right after their coronation? For Vietnamese fans, this story is not just about Leviatán. It is a wake-up call for a young esports scene: momentary success does not equal sustainability. And if Vietnamese teams want to go global, they need long-term strategies rather than focusing on just one tournament. Only then can they avoid Leviatán's painful fate.