Tyson “TenZ” Ngo has officially pulled back the curtain on the finalists for the TenZ VALORANT Community Awards, and the list reads like a snapshot of everything that defined the 2025 season. With players and coaches themselves deciding who makes the cut, these awards carry a kind of weight that goes beyond numbers on a broadcast or popularity on social media. It is about respect earned inside the server, and that is exactly why this reveal matters.

I’m excited to announce the finalists of the TenZ VALORANT Community Awards, starting with VCT!

Players & coaches ranked their top 5 per category using a point system. Top 3 are finalists.

Winners will be revealed during our live ceremony on February 4th, 9pm PST#TenZVALAwards pic.twitter.com/uTaRF1Ce0J

— TenZ (@TenZOfficial) January 26, 2026

After weeks of quiet build up, the confirmed finalists now set the stage for a live ceremony on February 4, shaping up to be one of the most genuinely community driven VALORANT events to date.

A Peer Voted Celebration Of Competitive Excellence

What separates the TenZ VALORANT Community Awards from most esports shows is how the winners are chosen. Players and coaches rank their top five candidates in each category, using a points based system that rewards consistent respect across the scene. Only the top three in each category advance as finalists, which gives every nomination real credibility.

VCT Finalists Reflect A Season Of Dominance

The VCT categories feel like a highlight reel from 2025. Fnatic and NRG appear across multiple roles, reflecting deep tournament runs and season long consistency. The familiar rivalry between Jake “Boaster” Howlett and Ethan “Ethan” Arnold also returns, with both once again shortlisted for IGL of the Year.

TenZ VALORANT Community Awards – VCT Finalists

Initiator Of The Year

• Austin “crashies” Roberts
• Trent “trent” Cairns
• Brock “brawk” Somerhalder

Sentinel Of The Year

• Logan “skuba” Jenkins
• Nathan “leaf” Orf
• Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder

Controller Of The Year

• Jacob “valyn” Batio
• Sam “s0m” Oh
• Kim “MaKo” Myeong Gwan

Duelist Of The Year

• Erick “aspas” Santos
• Adam “mada” Pampuch
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski

Coach Of The Year

• Milan “Milan” de Meij, Fnatic
• Alexandre “alecks” Sallé, Paper Rex
• Malkolm “bonkar” Rench, NRG

Rookie Of The Year

• Adam “mada” Pampuch
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Brock “brawk” Somerhalder

IGL Of The Year

• Jake “Boaster” Howlett
• Ethan “Ethan” Arnold
• Jacob “valyn” Batio

NRG’s strong presence across the Americas categories reflects their VALORANT Champions 2025 triumph, while Fnatic’s repeated EMEA nominations underline their ongoing grip on Europe. In the Pacific, Paper Rex once again proves its explosive style remains impossible to ignore.

Regional And Global MVP Finalists

The MVP categories highlight just how wide the talent pool has become across regions, with familiar stars and rising names all in contention.

VCT Americas MVP

• Ethan “Ethan” Arnold
• Adam “mada” Pampuc
• Erick “aspas” Santos

VCT China MVP

• Zheng “zmjjkk” Yongkang
• Teng “happywei” Min wei
• Lin “SpiritZ1” Ting yu

VCT EMEA MVP

• Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder

VCT Pacific MVP

• Ngô Công “crazyguy” Anh
• Ilya “something” Petrov
• Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto

VCT Global MVP

• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto
• Erick “aspas” Santos

Game Changers Finalists Showcase World Class Talent

The Game Changers categories are just as stacked. Heavy representation from Team Liquid Brazil, Shopify Rebellion Gold, and MIBR mirrors the podium from the Valorant Game Changers Championship 2025, making their presence feel fully earned rather than symbolic.

TenZ VALORANT Community Awards – Game Changers Finalists

Initiator Of The Year

• Natalia “daiki” Vilela
• Sarah “sarah” Simpson
• Melissa “mel” Millena

Controller Of The Year

• Letícia “joojina” Paiva
• Melanie “meL” Capone
• Aleyna “vania” Keskin

Sentinel Of The Year

• Nicole “noia” Tierce
• Safia “safiaa” Leghzal
• Amy “amy” Lai

Duelist Of The Year

• Nicolas “srN” Niederauer
• Azra “alkyia” Erin
• Karnthida “dodonut” Chaisrakeo

Coach Of The Year

• Caio “napz” Sousa, Team Liquid Brazil
• Loic “effys” Sauvageau, Shopify Rebellion Gold
• Drew “DrewSpark” Spark Whitworth, G2 Gozen

Rookie Of The Year

• Montserrat “mmonch” Gutierre
• Esilene “akita” Xu
• Min Ju “332” Park

IGL Of The Year

• Natalia “daiki” Vilela
• Camila “Sayuri” Obam
• Melanie “meL” Capone

Game Changers MVP

• Paula “bstrdd” Naguil
• Natalia “daiki” Vilela
• Nicole “noia” Tierce

Team Liquid Brazil’s dominance is clear, with daiki earning nominations across multiple categories including MVP. Shopify Rebellion Gold also shows serious depth, placing finalists in nearly every major role.

When And Where To Watch The Ceremony

The TenZ VALORANT Community Awards will air live on February 4 at 9pm PST, streaming on TenZ’s Twitch and YouTube channels. The ceremony was originally planned for December, but the delay allowed more finalists to attend and gave organisers extra time to polish the show.

Winners will be decided using the same player and coach voting system that shaped the finalist lists, with select fan voting opening during the broadcast. It is a rare blend of professional insight and community involvement, and it fits perfectly with how VALORANT continues to evolve.

With this much elite talent packed into one night, February 4 is shaping up as a must watch moment for competitive VALORANT fans.

The post TenZ Reveals Full Finalist List For 2025 VALORANT Community Awards appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The VALORANT community is getting its own dedicated awards night, and it is being led by none other than TenZ himself. The former pro player and one of the scene’s most recognisable personalities has officially announced the inaugural 2025 VALORANT Community Awards Show, set to celebrate the very best of VCT and Game Changers.

Welcome to the 2025 VALORANT Community Awards Show!

A live ceremony celebrating the best of VCT and Game Changers, voted by the teams themselves.

This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m proud to finally make it happen.

Thank you @VALORANT and… pic.twitter.com/4oUr8GvAQb

— TenZ (@TenZOfficial) November 19, 2025

Held live in Los Angeles on December 15th at 9pm PT, the ceremony will be streamed across all of TenZ’s channels, giving fans everywhere a front-row seat to the first event of its kind.

A New Stage For VALORANT’s Best

TenZ revealed the project through his social channels, calling it something he has been wanting to create for a long time. Backed by Riot Games and Red Bull Gaming, the show aims to spotlight standout players, coaches, and teams from across the 2025 competitive season.

Unlike traditional esports award ceremonies, this one puts the power directly into the hands of the competitors. Teams from both VCT and Game Changers will vote using a points-based system, ranking their top five picks in each category. Once tallied, the three highest scoring names will become the official finalists.

At the time of announcement, only one category has been publicly confirmed, the Red Bull Clutch of the Year, with more to be revealed in the lead-up to the event.

TenZ Continues His Post-Pro Evolution

Since retiring after VCT 2024, TenZ hasn’t slowed down. He joined Red Bull Gaming, co-streamed major events like Red Bull Home Ground 2025, launched his own line of gaming mice, and settled comfortably into the life of a full-time creator.

Now, with the 2025 VALORANT Community Awards Show, he is expanding his influence even further. The project adds another milestone to his growing list of ventures, especially as he continues building new ways to uplift the wider VALORANT scene.

When And Where To Watch

The 2025 VALORANT Community Awards Show will broadcast live from Los Angeles on December 15th at 9pm PT. Fans can tune in from anywhere through TenZ’s Twitch and YouTube channels, where the full ceremony will unfold in real time.

With finalists soon to be announced and more categories on the way, the event is shaping up to be a major highlight of the VALORANT offseason, giving players a moment to shine before VCT 2026 kicks off.

A Growing Trend In Esports

Awards shows focusing on specific titles have been popping up across the industry. Clash Royale recently introduced its CRL 2025 Awards, while League of Legends continues to expand its own annual League Awards.

VALORANT is no stranger to recognition either. The game won Esports Game of the Year in 2021, and while it missed out in 2025, the launch of this dedicated community show signals just how far the title has grown since its release.

As TenZ steps into the spotlight once again, this time behind the scenes, the community looks set to gain a new tradition worth celebrating every year.

The post TenZ To Host The First Ever 2025 VALORANT Community Awards Show This December appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Karmine Corp has officially pushed back its highly anticipated KCX5 event, shifting it to early 2026 and confirming the show will return with a brand new format. The announcement arrives just weeks before its original December dates, marking a major change for fans planning to attend the organisation’s annual celebration.

pic.twitter.com/sX6KNADjh5

— Karmine Corp (@KarmineCorp) November 12, 2025

KCX5 Pushed Back Due to Holiday Timing

In its formal statement, Karmine Corp explains that the original KCX5 dates were simply too close to the end-of-year holiday season. With the current circumstances also taken into account, the organisation says it could not deliver a show that lived up to the passion and expectations of its fanbase.

KCX5 was meant to run from December 19th to 20th at the Adidas Arena in Paris. It was planned as a large scale celebration of Karmine Corp’s fifth anniversary, complete with roster reveals for the upcoming competitive year. The team says the revised version of the event will take shape in a different format, with full details arriving in early 2026.

Full Refunds Confirmed for Ticket Holders

Karmine Corp has confirmed that all KCX5 tickets will be refunded through the official ticketing partners. Fans are expected to receive their refunds within standard processing times.

For attendees travelling from outside the Île de France region, the organisation is offering additional support. Those who struggle to get refunds for transport or accommodation can submit a claim for compensation.

To apply, fans must email the following documents to kcx-dedommagement@karminecorp.fr before 30 November:

• A copy of KCX5 tickets
• A named invoice for transport or accommodation
• Proof that the refund request was refused
• A matching ID for the name on the ticket
• A bank account document (RIB) with the same name

Karmine Corp notes that full conditions and instructions are available on its official website.

A Look Back at the KCX Legacy

KCX has grown into one of Europe’s biggest esports community events since launching in 2020. Each edition mixes show matches, roster reveals, live entertainment, and large scale fan interaction. KCX4 peaked at 174,136 viewers online, with thousands attending in person to watch Karmine Corp’s League of Legends team face MAD Lions KOI.

KCX5 was expected to build on this momentum, especially with the team hitting its five year milestone. Despite the delay, interest remains high as fans look ahead to what the refreshed 2026 edition will offer.

Karmine Corp’s Strong 2025 Performance

Even with the KCX5 postponement, 2025 has been a standout year for Karmine Corp.

The organisation’s VALORANT Game Changers roster won EMEA Stage 2, earning a spot at the Game Changers Championship in Seoul. Its League of Legends academy roster also secured a place in the LEC 2026 Versus event after winning EMEA Masters Summer, meaning Karmine Corp will field two teams at the start of the 2026 season.

Operationally, the organisation has been solid as well. Earlier this year, Karmine Corp’s CEO announced that the organisation achieved profitability for the second year in a row, highlighting its ongoing momentum both on and off the stage.

What Comes Next

With KCX5 now officially moved, all eyes are on early 2026, when Karmine Corp will reveal the event’s new direction. Fans can expect fresh announcements, updated formats, and the next evolution of one of esports’ most community-driven events.

For now, the organisation thanks its supporters for their patience and understanding, promising a show worthy of their passion when KCX returns.

The post KCX5 Delayed to 2026 as Karmine Corp Moves Event to a New Format appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The Stage Is Set for Seoul

The final lineup for the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2025 is confirmed. From November 20 to 30, ten of the best Game Changers teams will compete at LoL PARK in Seoul, South Korea, to crown this year’s world champion.

Representing regions across EMEA, the Americas, and Asia, each roster is bringing its own unique mix of experience and firepower. The reigning two-time champions, Shopify Rebellion Gold, are aiming for a historic three-peat, but with strong contenders rising from every region, their reign may finally be challenged.

10 Teams. One Trophy.

Here are the contenders headed to #VCTGameChangers Seoul! pic.twitter.com/mJaJonOqDT

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) November 2, 2025

Americas: Shopify Rebellion’s Reign Faces New Challengers

Shopify Rebellion Gold (North America Stage 2 Winner)
The back-to-back champions are back for their third title run. After another dominant domestic season, they enter Seoul as favourites once again.

Image Credit: Shopify Rebellion

Roster:

• Alexis “alexis” Guarrasi
• Karnthida “dodonut” Chaisrakeo
• Melanie “meL” Capone
• Nicole “Noia” Tierce
• Sarah “sarah” Simpson
• Coach: Loic “effys” Sauvageau
• Assistant Coach: Wyatt “Veer” Blevins

Team Liquid Brazil (Brazil Final Stage Winner)
After finishing second in 2023, Team Liquid Brazil is hungrier than ever. The Blue Horses aim to finally take down Shopify Rebellion and lift their first Game Changers world title.

Image Credit: Team Liquid

Roster:

• Natália “daiki” Vilela
• Vitoria “bizerra” Vieira
• Isabeli “isaa” Esser
• Letícia “joojina” Paiva
• Julia “Jelly” Iris
• Coach: Caio “napz” Sousa

KRÜ Blaze (LATAM Regional Final Winner)
Dominant in Latin America since 2022, KRÜ Blaze has its eyes set on breaking into the global top four after consistent domestic success.

Image Credit: KRÜ

Roster:

• Constanza “conir” Reyes
• Lorena “micaela” Micaela Ferreyra
• Caue “dods” Fernandes
• Beatriz “biazik” Begnossi
• Montserrat “mmonch” Rivera Gutierrez
• Head Coach: Beatriz “Bebesita” Hornes
• Assistant Coach: João “jvzs” Vitor Lopes da Silva

MIBR GC (Americas LCQ Winner)
MIBR GC secured the last ticket to Seoul after a strong Last Chance Qualifier run. They’re looking to rewrite their story after falling short in 2024.

Image Credit: MIBR

Roster:

• Melissa “meL” Millena
• Nicolas “snR” Niederauer
• Paula “bstrdd” Naguil
• Giulia “lissa” Lissa
• Camila “sayuri” Obam

EMEA: The Powerhouses of Europe

G2 Gozen (EMEA Stage 3 Winner)
The legendary G2 Gozen lineup has reclaimed its spot at the top, winning EMEA Stage 3 with a clean 3–0 sweep over Twisted Minds Orchid.

Image Credit: G2

Roster:

• Michaela “mimi” Lintrup
• Amy “amy” Lai
• Aleyna “Vania” Keskin
• Esllene “Akita” Xu
• Petra “Petra” Stoker

Karmine Corp GC (EMEA Circuit Points #2)
One of EMEA’s most exciting new teams, Karmine Corp GC qualified through Circuit Points after consistent top finishes in every stage this year.

Image Credit: Karmine Corp

Roster:

• Anastasiya “Glance” Asnisimova
• Azra “Alkyia” Erin
• Anastasia “anesilia” Ivanova
• Şura “Jiex” Yıldırım
• Safia “safiaa” Leghzal
• Coach: Dzmitry “SmartSeven” Smartselau

GIANTX GC (EMEA Circuit Points #3)
Formed in 2024, GIANTX GC has impressed fans with its resilience and near-title finishes throughout the season.

Image Credit: GIANTX

Roster:

• Neslişah “ness” Demir
• Sarah “sarah” Ahmed
• Nur “eva” Çakır
• Maria “TookiiTookii” Perez
• Yağmur “Smurfette” Gündüz

Asia-Pacific and China: Rising Stars on the Global Stage

Xipto GC (Pacific #1)
The Singaporean squad returns to the big stage as Pacific champions, having taken down Ninetails in the Grand Final. Xipto GC’s momentum and chemistry make them a serious dark horse.

Image Credit: Xipto GC

Roster:

• Mary “capriciouS” Grace Sabado
• Leanne “Grahams” Ti-in
• Loraine “Kon” Pagente
• Kim “PIETY” De Guia
• Surassawadee “Yxqme” Khongpechdee
• Coach: Nikhil “Sieh” Bhansali

Ninetails (Pacific #2)
Korea’s own Ninetails will play in front of their home crowd in Seoul. The team boasts a stunning 21-match win streak and now sets its sights on global recognition.

Image Credit: Ninetails

Roster:

• Park “332” Min-ju
• Jo “DaNa” Se-won
• Kim “EveR” Ji-min
• Park “h4ste” Ju-hee
• Jeong “FullMoon” Ye-jin
• Head Coach: Park “Hype” Min-su
• Coaches: Kim “972” Tae-il, Song “Gunny” Keon

Nova Esports GC (China Stage 2 Winner)
Making their international debut, Nova Esports GC surprised the region by sweeping both China’s domestic stages in 2025. Their first Game Changers Championship appearance could mark the beginning of a new contender in the global scene.

Image Credit: VCT China

Roster:

• Cheng “7er” Haoyu
• Wang “Clem” Ke-ching
• Kelly “shirazi” Jaudian
• Annitta “Alyssa” Peerwantanagul
• Wang “icebox” Wenwen
• Coach: Yuan “9YUE” Chenzhe
• Coach: Shao “Gamble” Guanbo

Ten Teams, One Crown

The VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2025 is shaping up to be a historic clash. Shopify Rebellion Gold seeks to defend their crown, while challengers like Team Liquid Brazil, G2 Gozen, and Xipto GC aim to create their own legacy.

From November 20, all eyes will be on Seoul’s LoL PARK as the world’s top Game Changers talent fights for pride, history, and the title of world champion.

The post All Teams Qualified for VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

After a wave of serious allegations hit the Tier 2 VALORANT scene in North America, including claims of cheating, match-fixing, and betting misconduct, Riot Games has completed an in-depth investigation and says it found no hard evidence to back any of it up.

In response to serious public allegations of cheating, match-fixing, and other misconduct within the VALORANT Challengers North America (NA) ecosystem, Riot Games conducted an investigation and extensive review that encompassed video footage, player interviews, internal system… pic.twitter.com/XQEE7uXrCO

— VALORANT Esports NA (@valesportsna) July 30, 2025

The claims surfaced earlier this year and caused quite a stir in the community, especially after former Shopify Rebellion GM Sean ‘sgares’ Gares raised concerns about underground gambling activity within the NA Challengers ecosystem. Riot responded quickly, launching an internal review with help from integrity partners like Sportradar, GRID, and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

Riot’s findings? Nothing that confirmed the rumours.

What Did Riot Actually Look Into?

The investigation wasn’t just a quick glance. Riot teams across Anti-Cheat, League Operations, and Broadcast Engineering reviewed gameplay footage, in-game data, player behaviour logs, account histories, and internal system records. They focused particularly on matches like Blue Otter vs. Shopify Rebellion, one that had drawn heavy suspicion online.

According to Riot, no signs of cheating or irregular activity were found in any of the matches they reviewed. Their integrity partners also analysed betting market data from across the 2025 NA Challengers League and didn’t find anything unusual there either.

Some screenshots of betting slips had been doing the rounds on social media, adding fuel to the fire. Riot’s investigation found that one of the most widely shared images wasn’t even connected to the Challengers league, it appeared to reference a completely different event.

Riot Employees Dragged Into It

Another layer of drama came when social media posts started speculating that Riot staff might be involved. These allegations, too, were looked into under Riot’s internal integrity protocols. Riot says no evidence of staff misconduct was found, and that some of the claims were later walked back by the people who made them.

In short: all smoke, no fire.

Not Everyone’s Convinced

The community is still split in spite of Riot’s announcement. Since they believe the results to be reliable, some players are pleased to learn that third-party experts were consulted. Some are more doubtful, asserting that Riot is merely shielding its own reputation and ignoring problems.

pic.twitter.com/T4tCerDd2J

— Kaeven (@kaevenvlr) July 30, 2025

Concerns have also been raised over the process’s overall transparency. Some internet voices continue to advocate for more transparent communicatiImage Credit: Riot GamesImageon and even for the probe to be independently audited.

What Happens Now?

While Riot hasn’t issued any bans or penalties, they’ve made it clear they’ll keep watching closely. If new evidence turns up, the matter could be revisited.

The broader takeaway? Riot wants to maintain trust in VALORANT’s competitive scene. They’ve encouraged anyone with credible information to speak up and report issues through proper channels — and reminded players that false or exaggerated claims can also do real damage.

For now, the case is closed. But in a space as passionate and fast-moving as esports, especially in the sometimes chaotic Tier 2 scene, people will be keeping their eyes peeled for what happens next.

The post Riot Finds No Proof of Match-Fixing in VALORANT Challengers NA After Thorough Investigation appeared first on Shane the Gamer.