Leviatán Won Masters London but Missed Champions Shanghai: Is the VCT Points System Fair?

One of the most controversial stories in the global Valorant scene has just unfolded: Leviatán, the champion of Masters London 2026, failed to qualify for Champions Shanghai – the most prestigious end-of-year tournament. This raises questions about the fairness of the VCT points system, where a team that defeated everyone at an international event could not earn enough points to enter the world championship. Leviatán had a season full of ups and downs. They started with a major disadvantage: their young star Bruno 'Neon' Rodríguez – later MVP at Masters – could not play in Kickoff due to VCT's age requirement (18 years old). Neon's absence cost Leviatán crucial early points. Despite a brilliant performance at Masters London, where they dominated the world's best teams, Leviatán could not close the point gap with regional rivals like NRG and G2 Esports – teams that performed more consistently throughout the season. Under the current system, Champions qualification is determined by cumulative VCT points across three stages: Kickoff, Stage 1, and Stage 2, plus Masters results. This means a team that wins a major tournament can still be eliminated if they underperform in other stages. In Leviatán's case, they earned only 15 VCT points – far fewer than the leading teams in the Americas region, described as 'absolutely stacked' by many analysts. The fierce competition in Americas – featuring NRG, G2, 100 Thieves, and other strong teams – forced Leviatán to compete against a much higher point threshold than other regions. If they were in a weaker region like Asia Pacific or China, 15 points might have been enough to secure a spot. However, Leviatán also made notable tactical mistakes. In Stage 2, they self-banned their best map Split, where they held an 11-match winning streak, and abandoned their trusted Neon-Phoenix composition to experiment with new strategies. Former analyst Sliggy commented: 'They dug their own grave. When you've already qualified for Masters, experimentation is normal, but if it costs you precious domestic points, it's a wrong decision.' Indeed, Leviatán became overconfident after their Masters victory and paid the price. The current VCT points system prioritizes long-term consistency over peak performance. This logic prevents 'one-hit wonders' and encourages teams to maintain form throughout the season. But it creates a paradox: should the winner of a global tournament – the peak of competition at that moment – not be deemed worthy of the world championship? Many fans argue for an automatic berth for Masters champions, similar to the automatic spot for MSI winners in League of Legends. However, Riot Games has yet to adjust the rules, and Leviatán will have to wait until next season to prove their worth. From an industry perspective, Leviatán's absence at Champions Shanghai is a loss. The team has one of the largest fan bases and an exciting playstyle. Their absence could affect viewership, ad revenue, and the tournament's appeal. Sponsors will also reconsider investing in a team that risks missing major events. This puts pressure on Riot to review the format. In summary, Leviatán's story is a lesson in balancing rewards for peak performance versus consistency. The current system may need a minor tweak to protect the value of international victories while maintaining competitive integrity throughout the season. But Leviatán must also reflect: when you have a world-championship-winning roster, experimenting at critical moments is a gamble not worth taking. This article is based on analysis from Esports Insider and live tournament observations. We await Riot's next move.