The reigning VALORANT world champions are back to defend their crown. EDward Gaming, the team that shocked the world by lifting the Champions trophy in 2024, has punched its ticket to VALORANT Champions 2025 in Paris. With this qualification, EDG becomes the second Chinese squad to secure its place in the most prestigious event of the year, further cementing its role as the face of Chinese VALORANT.
This qualification did not come easy. EDG earned its crucial VCT China Points after eliminating TYLOO with a commanding 2-0 victory in Stage 2, guaranteeing its spot at the year-ending spectacle. For fans, this is redemption after months of uncertainty about whether the reigning champions could overcome their internal struggles and maintain their global dominance.
A Legacy of Champions
EDG made history in 2024 when they became the first Chinese organisation to ever lift the VALORANT Champions trophy, defeating Team Heretics in Seoul. That victory sent shockwaves across the competitive scene and ignited massive support for the Chinese VALORANT ecosystem. The team entered 2025 with unmatched confidence, winning VCT China Kickoff and securing a third-place finish at Masters Bangkok in March.
But their road through the season was far from smooth. The departure of star player Hsieh “S1Mon” Meng-hsun shook the team’s chemistry. Despite replacing him with Zhang “Jieni7” Juntai, the squad stumbled during Stage 1 and failed to qualify for Masters Toronto.
Ahead of Stage 2, EDG doubled down by bringing in Zhang “zjc” Juncheng as a sixth man. This addition allowed the team to experiment with different lineups, and though the group stage was nail-biting, they managed to reach playoffs. Once there, the champions were knocked down to the lower bracket by Dragon Ranger Gaming but clawed their way back by eliminating Trace Esports and TYLOO, showing the resilience that defines a true champion.
Who Else Is Heading to Paris
EDward Gaming is not the only contender with eyes on the trophy. G2 Esports from the Americas secured its slot earlier after dominating Masters Toronto. Pacific powerhouse Paper Rex and EMEA giants Fnatic also punched their tickets through strong regional performances. On the home front, Bilibili Gaming became the first Chinese team to qualify for Champions 2025, ensuring that China will have at least two representatives in Paris.
For EDG, though, the mission is crystal clear defend the crown and become the first back-to-back champions in VALORANT history. With Paris on the horizon, their legacy as one of the most feared and celebrated teams in the world is on the line.
Why This Matters
EDward Gaming’s qualification is more than just another tournament spot. It symbolizes the rise of Chinese esports on the global stage. Once seen as underdogs, EDG is now the standard that others measure themselves against. Their story of resilience, roster struggles, and ultimate redemption has made them one of the most emotionally compelling teams in the scene today. Fans worldwide will be watching closely to see if EDG can once again defy the odds and prove that their 2024 victory was no fluke.
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