Guide to the VALORANT Chinese League
2023 marked VALORANT’s introduction to China and its enthusiastic reception from Chinese players. Within the first week of its release, VALORANT became the second most-viewed game on Chinese streaming platforms and drew a massive player base. VALORANT’s Chinese interface differs from its international counterparts, but the fundamentals of the game remain the same – and as players progress through the ranks, new talent emerges.
It’s only natural that a Chinese esports scene would develop after VALORANT’s Chinese launch. Let’s explore the structure and key players of VALORANT’s growing Chinese esports league.
What is the Structure of VALORANT’s Chinese League?
As of 2023, the VALORANT Champions Tour introduced a unique qualifier for Chinese VALORANT teams to qualify for the event. 12 teams are invited and fight for the top spot in a hybrid-elimination format. The top three teams in the VALORANT Champions Tour China Qualifier can participate in the greater international VALORANT Champions tour.
Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
As China is an extremely vast country spanning five time zones and bordering 14 countries, and also has a separate game interface, further national tournaments are developing within the state. A VALORANT Champions Tour: China tournament is in the works.
To progress through China’s new VALORANT esports ladder, teams must first participate in three stages of competition within the VALORANT China Evolution Series. The first portion of the series is known as Act 1: Variation. The top teams of Act 1: Variation qualify for Act 2: Selection and the winners of the Selection stage go on to compete in Act 3: Heritability for all the marbles.
Next, the winners of the VALORANT China Evolution Series Act 3: Heritability will qualify for a coveted place in VALORANT China Ascension – VALORANT China Ascension 2023 is set to take place from December 20th to December 30th.
The first-place VALORANT China Ascension team will participate in the VALORANT China League and secure a spot at the VALORANT Champions Tour.
What are the VALORANT Champions Tour China League teams?
The VALORANT Champions Tour China League teams include:
- FunPlus Phoenix
- Roster:
- Zhang “AAAAY” Yang
- Chang “BerLIN” Po-Lin
- Tang “TZH” Zhehao
- Liang “Lysoar” Youhao
- Kale “autumn” Dunne
- Bilibili Gaming
- Roster:
- Li “rin” Lewei
- Wang “whz” Haozhe
- Zhong “Biank” Jianfei
- Liu “Knight” Yuxiang
- Wang “yosemite” Lei
- Lu “Levius” “Yinzhong
- JD Gaming
- Roster:
- Ji “Faraway” Peiqi
- Liu “Z1Yan” Zihan
- Wangjia “jNwOw” Ning
- Zie “S1mon” Mengxun
- Simakov “Vici” Ernest
- Cao “Nearly” Bowen
- Wolves Esports
- Roster:
- Yu “12” Yisheng
- Wang “142” Zilong
- Chen “Aprcot” Xiangyu
- Sha “INVINCIBLE” Kaizhe
- Zhang “zzz9” Ziyang
- Xu “Nagi” Nanling
- Cao “SeaWave” Yuzhong
- Cheng “ShowCheng” Yu
- EDward Gaming
- Roster:
- Guo “Haodong” Haodong
- Wan “CHICHOO” Shunzi
- Wang “nobody” Senxu
- Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang
- Zhang “Smoggy” Zhao
- Tang “Muggle” Shijun
- TYLOO
- Roster:
- An “SORRYMYBAD” Ziwen
- Zhang “LuoK1ng” Zhanpeng
- Yi “ninebody” Ding
- Shi “AakRR” Yekai
- Cheng “ICE” Wanpeng
- Sun “slowly” Kelun
- Nova Esports
- Roster:
- o0oNe
- OBONE
- PangH
- 1Ezier
- cb
- JL
- Trace Esports
- Roster:
- Song “FengF” Xuefeng
- Luo “Flex1n” Rui
- Ho “HeiB” Shun-hei
- Yip “YoU” Man-ho
- Lu “Kai” Zhinan
- Zhao “dynamite” Zihao
- Titan Esports Club
- Roster:
- Li “B1ack” Songtai
- Piao “Kawaii” Min
- Li “qiuye” Runtao
- Wu “Shameless” Hongjie
- Chen “ADe” Ziwen
- Mei “XTian” Zixi
- All Gamers
- Roster:
- Naschzz
- X3B
- Playerr
- miKa
- BeYN
- VCT Ascension China Winner
Additional influential Chinese teams include:
- Royal Never Give Up
- Roster:
- Ali “Swerl” Kobraee
- Liu “xiaonuo” Xiaosheng
- Guang “GuanG” Honglin
- Wang “HaTo” Rui
- 4ErWa
- Attacking Soul Esports
- Roster:
- Wang “Monk” Haoyu
- Zhang “hfmi0dzjc9z7” Juncheng
- Chen “YHchen” Yu-Han
- Jiang “Bunt” He
- Qu “Life” Donghao
- Ren “Zero1” Mengzhen
- Huang “Yuicaw” Yung-chieh
- Rare Atom
- Roster:
- Xin “Spitfires” Mingyang
- Ran “Viva” Lifan
- Chen “YiHao” Yihao
- Zhuo “MarT1n” Zhengjie
- Park “stew” Young-chan
- Chae “yoman” Young-mun
Who are some notable VALORANT Chinese league players?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: Haodong "Haodong"Guo of EDward Gaming arrives at VALORANT Champions Los Angeles Playoffs Stage at the Shrine Expo Hall on August 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
- ZmjjKK
- EDward Gaming’s ZmjjKK, better known as “KangKang”, has won fans over with his impressive plays and quirky personality. ZmjjKK is known for his insane reflexes and smart plays – take his back-to-back aces against Rare Atom in China Evolution Series Act 3 as an example. He is one of the best Operator users in the current competitive stage.
- ninebody and LuoK1ng
- TYLOO’s ninebody is skilled at making an impact – his chain kills and utility change the outcome of rounds and are vital for his team. This duelist main stood out when playing for KONE Esports before the group disbanded, and has precise aim.
- Teammate LuoK1ng, also of TYLOO and formerly signed to KONE Esports, supplements ninebody’s aggressive plays with versatile smokes and careful lurks.
- yosemite
- Playing for Bilibili Gaming, yosemite is a former Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pro who has seamlessly brought his skills to VALORANT. He is particularly skilled on Viper and Killjoy and gained international notice earlier this year for two impressive 4k clutches in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2023: one as Viper against NRG Esports, and another as Killjoy against EDward Gaming. His cool and collected plays help keep Bilibili Gaming on the map.
Stay tuned for the VALORANT China Ascension 2023 tournament beginning on December 23rd. This event will determine the final qualifying team for the VALORANT China League, and shape 2024’s VALORANT Champions Tour competitors. 2023-2024’s Chinese VALORANT season will set the precedent for the future of Chinese VALORANT esports – watch closely during this exciting time to see which players, teams and memories will forever impact China’s VALORANT legacy.
