'Valorant' reveals path for tier-2 teams into international leagues

"Valorant's" tier two system, called the Challenger circuit, will culminate in regional end-of-year tournaments granting winners access to the game's international leagues, according to an announcement by Riot Games. The rollout of new information Tuesday -- which includes a six-year calendar as well as details about broadcast windows, production and the 21 inaugural Challenger leagues -- comes after a spate of teams announced they would be suspending participation in the "Valorant" ecosystem following the teams' failure to secure a partnership slot in the esport's exclusive international leagues.