VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo 2023: Everything you need to know

VCT LOCK//IN will be starting soon. Check out everything you need to know about the upcoming tournament.


VCT LOCK//IN São Paulo 2023: Everything you need to know

Early in 2022, Riot Games revealed its plans for Valorant, outlining a new organizational structure that it will use to promote the expansion of the game’s esports scene. In order to participate in Valorant’s tier-1 circuit, a group of thirty teams, 10 from each of the three primary geographic areas (the Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas), have teamed up with Riot. The Valorant esports Season 2023 will start off with the VCT LOCK//IN.

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VCT LOCK//IN will start on February 13 and will end on 4 March 2023 at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 32 teams will compete throughout the tournament. VCT tournaments have always been action-packed. After VCT Champions 2022, many teams have shaken up their roster. It will be interesting some old pro players in new jersey competing with their former rivals.

Here are the format, participant teams, and other things you need to know about the upcoming VCT event.

Related: Valorant Challengers League NA: Schedule, teams, and how to watch

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Riot Games reveal details about VCT LOCK//IN 2023

Riot Games reveal details about VCT LOCK//IN 2023
VCT LOCK//IN 2023 (image via Riot Games)

The LOCK//IN tournament will only be featured during VCT 2023. The LOCK//IN will be replaced in subsequent seasons of the Valorant Champions Tour by a full split of the three distinct Valorant Franchise Leagues.

Format

The format is rather straightforward. Teams are divided into 2 groups – Alpha and Omega. There will be a single elimination bracket featuring 32 teams. In order to increase the number of international matchups during the tournament, Riot Games seeded the teams randomly and then randomly assigned them to pre-position matchups. The single-elimination double-group format will result in 16 teams being eliminated after playing one best-of-three match from Alpha and Omega.

Once two teams from each group are left in the final round, the four teams compete in the semi-finals and final. Each team will battle in a series of best-of-three. For the semi-finals and finals, the qualifying team will lock horns in the best-of-five series.

Teams

Group Alpha

  • KOI (EMEA)
  • NRG (Americas)
  • DetonatioN FocusMe (Pacific)
  • Giants Gaming (EMEA)
  • Gen.G (Pacific)
  • LOUD (Americas)
  • FunPlus Phoenix (China)
  • Karmine Corp (EMEA)
  • BBL Esports (EMEA)
  • DRX (Pacific)
  • Cloud9 (Americas)
  • Paper Rex (Pacific)
  • Team Heretics (EMEA)
  • Evil Geniuses (Americas)
  • MIBR (Americas)
  • Talon Esports (Pacific)

Group Omega

  • Team Liquid (EMEA)
  • Team Secret (Pacific)
  • Natus Vincere (EMEA)
  • KRU Esports (Americas)
  • ZETA DIVISION (Pacific)
  • Leviatan (Americas)
  • Team Vitality (EMEA)
  • Global Esports (Pacific)
  • FUT Esports (EMEA)
  • Rex Regum Qeon (Pacific)
  • 100 Thieves (Americas)
  • EDward Gaming
  • Sentinels (Americas)
  • Fnatic (EMEA)
  • T1 (Pacific)
  • FURIA (Americas)

Platforms to enjoy VCT LOCK//IN

Fans can enjoy VCT LOCK//IN 2023 on VCT’s official channels on both Twitch and YouTube. You can also watch this event with your favorite streamer at their official watch party on Twitch. Former pro players and content creators like Shroud, Tarik, etc. hosts these watch party and also gives some valuable insights about the match.

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Teams to look out for in VCT LOCK//IN

Every team among these 32 teams is best in their own way and can take the trophy. But there are some teams that will be interesting to look out for. Sentinals, NRG, Cloud 9, 100 thieves, Team Liquid, Fnatic, and VCT Champion 2022 winner LOUD are favorites to win this event.

In case you missed it!