Trophy Value (based on Tournament)

#1

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- 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)).

#2

Nilonesia

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this is genuinely pretty fair and unbiased, thanks!

although personally I'd weigh champs to be 1.5

#24

I_LOVE_LESS

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ewc is worth negative 5 points

#25

Antiwitch

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cmon lets give ewc score , For Heretics!

#3

Antiwitch

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lock in is 0.1

#4

sentinelmain377

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flair

#6

satellite_kov

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and americas regional trophy is 2

#23

Antiwitch

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no , but lock in instant elim

#5

shrike-

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i guess bro

#7

archetype

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rare moment of lucidity

#8

OkOkay

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Lockin is more skillful than champs dude. Its just these low iq mfs being like but “champs is more important because riot said so!” Like how much of a clueless sheep do you have to be to not realize that a tournament where its ride or die with EVERY team in franchise not be the MOST competitive tournament. Tired of these mfs disrespecting lock in when they know its more skill based.

#11

archetype

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spittin facts bud

#15

Ultia

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Lock-In is completely about player form on the day. That’s all it measures

#16

OkOkay

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Yea and every team has to deal with that in every sport and every competition. To be the best you have to perform the best. Fnatic did, and won twice in a row, THE ONLY team btw to do that. They were clearly the best ever, and just for yall to deny it cause it has a different name. Holy shit mathematicians and physicists of the past would look down upon how terrible the logic of humanity has evolved

#17

Ultia

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Good for FNC? Not sure why you’re so hostile. All I’m saying is that Single Elim is more coin flippy than Double Elim, not that it’s easier. Back-to-back internationals is insanely impressive but it’s true that Lock-In has an asterisk by it.

#18

OkOkay

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Sorry if my sheer masculinity and high testosterone was too much for you.

#19

Ultia

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Sheer masculinity and high testosterone with such a bruised ego? Laughable

#20

Nilonesia

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I personally think it depends on your perspective.

For me champs is harder not only cuz it’s 16 teams + you have to go through groups, but also because it’s the end of the year.

If you’ve ever competed in a sport or honestly any competitive event that goes through a season, I think you must know how tired everyone is at the end of the season. Yet at champs no matter how you feel or the year has gone, you have to perform.

Lock In conversely is at the start of the year, BUT it had all 32 teams and was single elimination.
Every team is at the peak of their motivation and delusion since they just got formed, and to win you have to perform every single game.
Ig for the Americans reading it’s like the NFL playoffs.

The only thing I’d discredit from lock in is a lot of really good 2022 teams got fcked by franchising.
For example both OPTC and LOUD were not the same teams as champs 22.

Also no prize pool lol.

But I can see an argument for like a 1.3 or 1.2 rating on this theoretical scale.

#9

LowGun

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lock in is way up higher than 8 team master imo. The stakes were prettty high.
EWC at 0.9? EW NO. its the same value as SOOP & RBHG (0.25 at max)
and champs is more like 1.5 or even 1.75.(1.5 is ideal)

#12

Ultia

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Champs is worth more because there’s no prior seeding advantage and there’s 16 teams. It’s the culmination of the whole year.

Also, EWC had BO1s in the group stage and no lower bracket in the playoffs. It also had high ping on what was supposed to be. LAN. It should be worth less than both Lock-in and an 8-team Masters that features a proper Swiss stage and double elim.

Otherwise, pretty decent ratings.

#13

hoboclap

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EWC higher than lock in and 8 team masters is ridiculous. The qualifiers were all online, and even the LAN was done on 10-40 ping. everything else, sure, but EWC was mickey mouse and should only count as an honorary trophy to TH

#14

V0sotros

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lock in should be above 8 team masters, EWC should be the lowest, and champs should be rated higher

#21

Krayon9239

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Nope champs min 1.5 or 2

#22

ItsTriiq

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Lock in is like 0.4 or 0.5 just cause everyone was invited and it was single elim. So it was basically whichever team has the best chemistry and mesh well no mistakes.

#26

AvgRossiFan

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lock in is at least 0.9 or 1 (if you consider the rarest buddy), EWC is not allat, no way you think that haphazard tournament is worth more than an 8 team masters maybe 0.67.

Champs needs to much higher. I'd assume almost every player would rather have 1 champs over 2 masters

#27

Prase

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TH ewc > FNC lock-in

#28

Antiwitch

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YES SIR