First international is ending and we prob will start having some news for the 2027 season soon. What are your predictions?
Mine for americas, if they keep the same format:
NRG - Guaranteed, no reason to not renew
G2 - Guaranteed, think they will get a permanent spot
SEN - Guaranteed, no reason to not renew
LEV - Guaranteed, no reason to not renew
MIBR - Likely, they overcame their initial neglection and are investing a lot with good sportive results in the past two years and a good base, even have a decent academy
Kru - Likely, first year was rough but they got decent regional results and qualifying to internationals overall with good finances, only reason to not renew would be lacking international performances, the visa fiasco, and if 2026 turns out to be really terrible for them
100t - Likely, very limited performances overall but one regional title, are investing in GC now and brought some commitment to the table, there are worse contenders
Cloud9 - ?, inconsistent results, kind of a joke org, good content but idk if its enough, 0 true investment, can see it going away
EG - ?, bad results post-23, disastrous administration, currently recovering but still on a bad spot, small investment (just getting a GC squad now), might be gone
Loud - ?, bad results post-23, disastrous administration, never recovered, 0 investment since GC 2024, if it renews it will likely be because of the fanbase otherwise they will need a miracle in 2026 to still be on the league; i think they are keeping one of LOUD or EG and rn EG is far ahead on the requisites BUT loud has worse competition
Furia - ?, just seems like they never really gave a shit, like they even seriously pretended valorant never existed for a while on the socials, have a academy but its kinda of a mid project, had terrible results over the years, will need a miracle in 26 to keep going
Envy - ?, ascension team, might get a permanent spot if someone gets kicked
However i predict starting 27 they will go 4 NA 4 SA with 4 t2 teams (3 top seeds from each region + one Ascension team; for the first year the 4th would be invited), which to me would be
NRG - SEN - G2 - 100t - LEV - MIBR - KRU - LOUD/Furia (?) - VCLNA #1 - VCLATAM #1 - VCB #1 - ASCENSION