In the fierce competition of the Americas Ascension, The Guard emerged victorious. Their impressive 3-1 win over M80 in the Grand Final gave them a spot in the VCT (Valorant Champions Tour) Americas for the next two years.
The Guard’s journey began when Riot Games’ partnered league did not pick them to join at the start of 2023. They didn’t let that stop them. Instead, they took matters into their own hands and used the North American Valorant Challengers League to fight their way into the competition.
The Guard’s Grand Final Triumph: A Place in VCT Americas
The team’s persistence paid off, and they are now getting ready to compete in tier 1 again in 2024.
During the Challengers League, The Guard showed off their skills and determination by going 4-1 in the first split and coming in third in the Mid-Season Face Off, which is a great result. Even after the second split, they kept doing well. They finished the group stage with another 4-1 run. They were put in Americas Ascension with M80 because of how well they played.
Throughout the entire promotion tournament, it was clear that The Guard was in charge. They never lost a game. In the group stage, they went 2-0, and in the upper bracket, they won every game they played to get to the Grand Final. The fact that they beat M80 in the final match made their promotion to VCT Americas official.
ASCENSION CHAMPIONS.
WE'RE GOING TO VCT AMERICAS LEAGUE. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/OW2g3gOoET
— The Guard – VCT ASCENSION CHAMPIONS 🏆 (@TheGuard) July 10, 2023
As a result of this accomplishment, The Guard will get the same benefits as partnered teams. This includes a small payment from Riot Games, the chance to qualify for Masters and Challengers in the next VCT seasons in 2024 and 2025, and the chance to make money from Valorant Champions skin sales if they qualify.
But it’s still not clear if they and other teams promoted through Ascension will be able to make team-branded skins and make money from them like their partnered counterparts.
Fans are getting more and more excited as The Guard gets ready for their VCT Americas debut in 2024. They will play against well-known teams like Cloud9, NRG Esports, and Sentinels in the tier 1 Valorant league, which is one of the most competitive in the world.
It’s important to know that they can only stay in VCT Americas for two years. In 2026, they will go back to the Challengers League.
In the end, The Guard’s victory in Americas Ascension got them into VCT Americas, which was a big step in their esports career. Because of how hard they worked and how well they played, they have earned a place among the best Valorant teams.
Fans can’t wait to see them perform again, so please share your thoughts and opinions about The Guard in the comments section below.
