Acend Club Exits VALORANT, Citing a "Hostile" Competitive Ecosystem

In a surprising turn of events that has rippled through the esports community, Acend Club, the inaugural champions of the VALORANT Champions tournament, announced their withdrawal from the esport ahead of the 2025 season. The European organization's departure statement highlighted the "hostile" competitive ecosystem of VALORANT as a primary reason for their exit, alongside issues such as the game's extended offseason, small prize pools, and inflated salary expectations among VCT players. This decision underscores the challenges even successful organizations face within the evolving landscape of competitive gaming.

Key Takeaways:

• Acend Club, after making history in the VALORANT sphere, finds the current competitive ecosystem unsustainable for their operations.
• The org cites several reasons for their departure, including the extended offseason, small prize pools, and high salary expectations.
• Despite a strong start, Acend's inability to secure a partnership in Riot's VCT has contributed to their decision to leave.
• The community reacts with disappointment, as players and coaches express their sentiments over the situation.
• Acend plans to maintain a presence in VALORANT through their content team, even as they step back from competitive play.

The journey of Acend Club in VALORANT began in 2021 with their acquisition of the Raise Your Edge roster, which quickly rose to prominence by clinching the first Champions title against Gambit. However, the subsequent years saw the team struggling to replicate its initial success, leading to significant roster changes and a failed bid to secure a partnership in Riot’s VCT Partnership Program—a development that Acend describes as a "huge blow."

The challenges of competing in Riot’s Challenger ecosystem and the inability to ascend in the 2023 season have highlighted what Acend refers to as "alarming signs of decay" in the competitive scene below the VCT tier. This sentiment is echoed by former Acend player zeek and his teammates, who lamented the organization's departure on social media platforms.

Acend's exit raises questions about the sustainability and inclusivity of VALORANT's competitive ecosystem, particularly for organizations not part of the partnered league. The restructuring of pathways connecting the VCT to tier two, including stipulations for academy teams and player loans, was intended to foster a more robust competitive scene. However, Acend's departure may prompt a reevaluation of these efforts by Riot Games as the 2025 season draws near.

While Acend's competitive team will no longer grace the VALORANT stages, the organization's commitment to remaining active within the community through its content team signifies a continued, albeit different, presence within the scene. The departure of such a notable player in the esports world will undoubtedly lead to discussions about the future of competitive VALORANT and whether adjustments are needed to better support teams and players at all levels of play.