- 8-to-10-Team Masters | Masters 1 (2021, 2024, 2025) = [0.8]
- LOCK//IN (2023) = [0.8]
- 12-Team Masters with Regional Kickoff Format | Masters 1 (2026) = [0.95]
- 12-to-16 Team Masters with Regional Stage Format | Masters 1 (2022), Masters 2 (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026), Masters (2023) = [1.0]
- Esports World Cup (2025, 2026) = [1.25]
- Champions (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) = [1.5]
- 9.35 Trophy Value = Americas (Masters 1 2021, Masters 1 2022, Champions 2022, Champions 2023, Masters 1 2024, Champions 2025, Masters 2 2026, EWC 2026)
- 6.55 Trophy Value = Emea (Masters 2 2021, Champions 2021, Masters 2 2022, LOCK//IN 2023, Masters 2023, EWC 2025)
- 3.75 Trophy Value = Pacific (Masters 2 2024, Masters 1 2025, Masters 2 2025, Masters 1 2026)
- 1.50 Trophy Value = China (Champions 2024)
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note: This is what I think each trophy should be worth when comparing them. This post is not about if the trophy had a fluke winner or not, but only about the value of the trophy compared to others.
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Esports World Cup Defense:
- The Esports World Cup is a global, S-Tier Tournament - https://liquipedia.net/valorant/S-Tier_Tournaments
- $1.25mil Prize Pool for 2025, $2mil Prize Pool for 2026 (both greater than a Masters event)
- The teams that attended the Esports World Cup 2025 qualified through VCT Stage 1 or the EWC qualifiers. There were 0 invitations (unlike RedBull and other off-seasons). The best teams of the world at the time were playing and competing for the 1.25mil prize pool. Similar EWC qualification stage for 2026.
- ALL VCT teams have EWC as a part of their schedule a year in advance (unlike other non-VCT tournaments). It is unserious to consider EWC as an irrelevant tournament. ALL teams have plans for it before the season starts.
- Objectively, EWC is a valid tournament (equal to a Masters at the minimum). Politics do not decide whether the tournament is mickey or not.
- EWC is a yearly tournament (2025 onwards until 2028 minimum). This is not a one-time tournament.
- Format:
Single-Elim Playoffs & Grand Finals (The EWC Grand Final is more fair than any VCT Grand Final because there is no 2-map ban advantage for either of the finalists)
Consolation Final (to ensure the 3rd and 4th place teams get the prize money they deserve)
Group Stage: All winner/loser/decider matches are a best of 3 (same group stage format as VCT Champions). - Rewards better-performing regions: (EMEA did the best at EWC 2025, so they get an additional slot at EWC 2026 which is taken from the worst-performing region at EWC 2025 (China)).











