VCT 2022: Stage 2 Challengers- Playoffs Preview

After five weeks of Group stage action across the world, VCT 2022 Stage 2 Challengers have reached playoffs. Over the next two weeks, we will determine which 12 teams will qualify for the Stage 2 Masters in Copenhagen next month.

North America

Heading into the final week of the Group stage, only one remaining playoff spot was up for the taking. It was determined by a head-to-head battle between NRG and Stage 1 champions The Guard.

In a tense best-of-three series, NRG snatched a 2-1 win and secured a playoff spot.

The playoffs kick off with two upper bracket matchups: FaZe Clan vs. 100 Thieves and Ghost Gaming vs. Evil Geniuses. The winners will proceed to face XSET and OpTic Gaming, while the losers will meet NRG and Luminosity, who start playoffs in the lower bracket.

The two finalists of Stage two Challengers will represent NA in Copenhagen.

EMEA

Similar to NA, there was only one playoff spot left to take in Europe heading into the final week of the Group stage. In the end, M3C managed to secure it by beating NAVI 2-1.

Guild and undefeated Fnatic earned a first-round bye since they topped their groups.

The playoffs start with two exciting matchups: Ascend vs. M3C and FunPlus Phoenix vs. Team Liquid. The winners will advance and face Fnatic and Guild, while the losers get relegated to the losers bracket. The top three teams will qualify for the Stage two Masters.

Other Regions

Undefeated LOUD and Ninjas in Pyjamas will skip the first round of Brazilian playoffs, while MIBR face Los Grandes and FURIA face Keyd Stars in the first round. ‌The winner will travel to Copenhagen, while the runner-up will have a second chance vs. the runner-up of the LATAM playoffs.

In Korea, undefeated DRX is waiting for the winner of WGS vs. Maru Gaming, while On Sla2ers face off the victor of DAMWON vs. Spear. Only the winner will qualify for Stage 2 Masters.

Japanese playoffs are already well underway, as ZETA Division face-off versus Northeption in the upper bracket final. The loser will face Crazy Racoon in the lower bracket, and the Grand Final will determine the only Japanese representative in Copenhagen.

KRÜ and Leviatán from Latin America South and E-Xolos Laser and FUSION from Latin America North face off in LATAM playoffs for a chance to qualify for Stage two Masters.

Finally, the APAC Challengers Play-ins are in the books, with the Group stage ready to kick off this week.

The VCT 2022 Stage 2 Challengers playoffs kick off on Friday, June 17th, and you can watch all the action live on Twitch and YouTube. Also, check out the full schedule over at valorantesports.com.