According to Nerd Street and a news post from Riot, Cloud9 Cloud9 North America Rank #8 Xeppaa Erick Bach vanity Anthony Malaspina OXY Francis Hoang , Sentinels Sentinels North America Rank #1 TenZ Tyson Ngo Zellsis Jordan Montemurro zekken Zachary Patrone johnqt Mohamed Amine Ouarid Sacy Gustavo Rossi , Envy Envy Inactive Marved Jimmy Nguyen Victor Victor Wong crashies Austin Roberts FiNESSE Pujan Mehta yay Jaccob Whiteaker , and 100 Thieves 100 Thieves North America Rank #11 bang Sean Bezerra Cryocells Matthew Panganiban eeiu Daniel Vucenovic Boostio Kelden Pupello Asuna Peter Mazuryk will receive direct invites to the Stage 1 Challengers main event.

The four teams finished in the top four of the North American rankings following the conclusion of Valorant Champions. Of the four teams, only 100 Thieves did not attend Champions after a defeat at the hands of Cloud9 in the NA LCQ lower bracket final.

Tournament play for the open qualifier will take place from January 27 - January 30. The main event will begin the week after, beginning on February 11 and concluding on March 27. Additionally, Neon—Valorant's newest agent—will be playable in the tournament.