Trace Esports become the first team to qualify for VALORANT Masters Bangkok

Chinese esports organisation Trace Esports has qualified for VALORANT Masters Bangkok following a victory against Bilibili Gaming in the VCT China upper bracket final earlier today. 

As a result of the 2-1 victory, Trace Esports has made it to back-to-back VALORANT international events following its top-eight finish at VALORANT Champions 2024.

Overall, two VCT China teams will represent the region at Masters Bangkok. Following its defeat to Trace Esports, Bilibili Gaming will get another shot at qualification tomorrow (January 24th) when the team faces reigning VALORANT world champions EDward Gaming in the lower bracket final.

Trace Esports becomes the first team to qualify for VALORANT’s first international event of the year, which is set to commence on February 20th. VCT’s other leagues in EMEA, the Pacific and the Americas started their kickoff events slightly later in January, hence why no other organisation has qualified.

Trace Esports took the first map against Bilibili Gaming, securing a 13-8 victory on Bind. Following a closer 13-10 loss on Haven, Trace went on to beat Bilibili 13-6 on Lotus. The series’ MVP went to Song ‘FengF’ Xuefeng.

Despite EDward Gaming being the reigning VALORANT world champions, the Chinese side had to enter VCT China’s lower bracket following a 2-0 loss to Trace Esports earlier in the week. As a result, the team fought through two Ascension winners in XLG Esports and Dragon Racer Gaming to earn an opportunity to qualify for Masters Bangkok. 

Outside of VCT China, the game’s EMEA and Americas league will eliminate its first batch of teams this week. Later today, Karmine Corp will take on GIANTX, whilst Fnatic clash with NAVI to remain in the competition. In the Americas, FURIA Esports, Evil Geniuses, Cloud9 and MIBR will all fight for survival. 

All matches from VCT EMEA and Americas Kickoff will be available on VALORANT’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.