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Phase 4 Takes an Unexpected Turn

Project Blender’s debut VALORANT tournament has been a standout success so far, drawing strong viewership and impressive performances from both professional and amateur teams. But the final stretch of the event will now unfold differently than planned.

The organisers have confirmed that the Phase 4 LAN Finals in Paris have been cancelled due to ongoing logistical issues and difficulties securing visas for participating players. Instead, the final matches will be played online, with the broadcast team still hosting live from the Paris studio to maintain production quality.

Why the LAN Finals Were Cancelled

In an announcement shared across Project Blender’s channels, the team expressed regret over the sudden format change.

They explained that challenges around travel arrangements and visa approvals made it impossible to host teams on site. Ensuring fairness and comfort for all players became the priority, prompting the shift to an entirely online conclusion.

While disappointing for fans hoping to see an in-person finale, Project Blender emphasised its commitment to delivering the best competitive environment possible under the circumstances.

What the Updated Phase 4 Schedule Looks Like

Phase 4 kicked off today, with sixteen teams beginning their campaign in a single elimination bracket. The competition features a €40,000 prize pool and includes well known names such as Team Vitality alongside rising amateur rosters.

Here is the expected flow of matches:

  • Round of 16 begins immediately as Phase 4 opens
  • Quarter Finals set for December 12
  • Final Four, including the Third Place Match and Grand Final, will play out on December 13 and 14
  • All matches remain best of three, including the championship series

Originally planned as an offline showdown in Paris, these final two days will now be contested remotely. However, fans will still get a polished broadcast thanks to the casting crew working live from the Paris studio.

A Quick Look at Project Blender

Launched in July, Project Blender is designed as an off season VALORANT event for players across the EMEA region. It introduces some fresh ideas to the competitive scene, helping it stand apart from standard tournaments.

Key Features

  • Blender Draft
    Inspired by League of Legends’ Fearless Draft, this ruleset prevents a team from using the same agents it selected in the previous map of a series. It encourages deeper strategy, experimentation and adaptation.
  • Four Phase Structure
    Each phase has unique participation rules and seeding guidelines.
    Notably, Phase 2 featured a dedicated co ed event called Blender Spotlight, awarding its winners a direct spot in Phase 3.
  • Open to All Competitive Tiers
    From professional teams to amateur hopefuls, Phase 1’s massive Open Qualifier set the tone for a truly inclusive competition.

Despite the setback to its LAN Finals, Project Blender has already proven popular with fans, offering tight matches and consistently high production value. With Phase 4 entering its most exciting stage, viewers can still look forward to a thrilling conclusion, even if it plays out online.