Riot has announced further updates regarding the EMEA Challenger Series
After discussions with VLR.gg, Riot has revealed their plans for the 2024 EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Challenger Series, just days after sharing details about the playoffs.
Earlier this week, Riot outlined how teams could progress to the Challenger League through Premier events. The initial promotion-relegation matches are set to take place at the end of April, following the completion of the second stage playoffs for the Premier event.
Today's announcement provides further insight into the connection between VCT and the EMEA Challenger-level competitions, along with key starting dates for the region.
Changes for 2024
For 2024, Riot will reevaluate the distribution of points throughout the entire season to reward consistent performances over the entire season. In 2023, several Challenger regions in Europe distributed more points in the second stage than the first. Next year will see changes where each league will determine how to make the first stage stand out in terms of promotion.
"Consistency over a longer period is the mark of the best teams, and we aim to reward those who consistently perform well regardless of the season," said Tomek Borowka, Challenger EMEA Lead, in an interview with VLR.gg.
Riot also revealed three other significant changes for 2024: Affiliate Teams, Player Loaning, and Bidirectional Players.
VCT teams can affiliate with teams outside of their league within the same region, and this affiliation won't hinder a team's advancement to the VCT league or playoffs. However, teams moving up to the VCT league must terminate their affiliation.
Player loaning is undergoing re-adjustment. Teams in the VCT league can loan a maximum of two players to international leagues, including the Challenger league or other leagues. Loaned players from VCT teams will be placed on the roster of the team they are loaned to and might or might not be recalled, based on the contract.
Finally, bidirectional players will debut in 2024. These players will only exist within affiliate relationships. Bidirectional players are eligible to compete in VCT leagues and other affiliate team competitions. These players can be placed on an active roster or a reserve list.
Rules for 2024 will limit bidirectional players to a maximum of two, specifying that bidirectional players who participate in 50% or more of the VCT league matches in any given week will reach a "participation threshold," limiting their service for the remainder of that phase to their affiliate team. Additionally, if a bidirectional player participates in VCT matches in any given week, the VCT team will be responsible for compensating that player for their time during that week. If a player is demoted to a secondary team and placed on the reserve list, they can be paid less than the minimum VCT level as long as it's above the legally applicable level.
"From the beginning, our mission for the Challenger scene has been to create a platform supporting regional talent and fostering the next generation of international players," Tomek told VLR. "While Challenger and VCT EMEA exist on two different tiers, they develop within the same ecosystem, and with this ongoing evolution, we expect more frequent crossovers."
Key Dates
Today's announcement also revealed the dates for all EMEA Challenger League matches except for Challenger Northern Europe: Arctic Star, which will be hosted by MistGames in 2024 due to the closure of Promod Esports.
The EMEA Challenger League will kick off on the following dates:
VALORANT Challenger East Europe: Surge - January 15th
VALORANT Challenger Spain: Rise - January 15th
VALORANT Challenger Portugal: Storm - January 15th
VALORANT Challenger MENA: Tenacity - January 17th
VALORANT Challenger Turkey: Unity - January 20th
VALORANT Challenger DACH: Evolution - January 20th
VALORANT Challenger France: Revolution - January 20th
VALORANT Challenger Italy: Renaissance - January 27th
VALORANT Challenger Northern Europe: Arctic Star - To Be Determined
Following the conclusion of the first regular season, which must end by March 20th, the first-stage playoffs will run from early March to mid-April.
A few months later, after the EMEA VCT playoffs end in mid-May, the second stage will commence and continue until late July. All leagues must conclude by July 27th.
Promotion matches and 2025
Detailed information about EMEA Ascension is expected to be scarce, as Riot has only revealed that the promotion matches will take place in September.
Next year will also witness changes in the season format, as the 2025 season will start in the last quarter of 2024.
