India-based esports and gaming company NODWIN Gaming announced this week that it has partnered once again with Riot Games to operate the NODWIN Valorant Challengers South Asia 2025 (VCSA 2025). Set to run March 4 – July 14, the VCSA promises a new revamped format, an INR 1.13 cr (roughly $129.6K USD) prize pool, and new ways for grassroots teams to participate.
The 2025 edition of the tournament introduces a three-split format with teams from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldives having already competed in the VCSA Qualifiers. Teams Velocity Gaming (VLT) and Aura have already secured their spots in the tournament through VCSA Qualifiers (registrations are now officially closed, NODWIN noted in its announcement). The new format, according to NODWIN, is as follows:
Tournament Structure and Key Features
Three-Split Format: Spanning three action-packed splits, the tournament ensures year-round excitement for fans and players alike.
VCSA Qualifiers: Before Split 1, aspiring VALORANT teams from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives had a chance to compete in open qualifiers, providing a gateway for new talent to make their mark and secure a spot in the main leg of the tournament.
Promotion and Relegation System: Introduced after Split 1, this system will allow high-performing teams from the open circuit to enter the main stage, keeping competition fresh and inclusive.
A revamped point system has been implemented in the 2025 edition of the VCSA which guarantees a heightened spirit of competition amongst the teams and plays a vital role towards the tail-end of the season.
The points system comes into play at the end of Split 3 where the top 4 teams on the basis of accumulated points throughout the Splits will face off in the Ascension Qualifiers. The champion team from this showdown will earn the honor of representing South Asia at the VCT Ascension Pacific 2025, going head-to-head with the best teams from other Challenger tournaments in the region.
“NODWIN Valorant Challengers South Asia represents the pinnacle of competitive Valorant esports in our region. With the exciting new three-split structure, promotion and relegation dynamics, and a prize pool of INR 1.13 cr, we aim to deliver an unforgettable season for players and fans alike,” said NODWIN Co-Founder & Managing Director Akshat Rathee. “Together with Riot Games, we’re crafting a sustainable and adaptive roadmap for esports in South Asia. This year’s tournament will set the stage for fresh talent to shine and for fan favorites to prove their mettle, offering Valorant fans an electrifying esports experience.”
NODWIN Gaming is a subsidiary of India-based mobile company Nazara Technologies. The company has made several significant investments over the last year or so to have a larger footprint in the esports industry around the world; in January it acquired Ukraine-based tournament organizer StarLadder in a deal valued at an initial consideration of $5.5M USD (INR 46.75 crores); in December 2024, India-based media and marketing firm AFK Gaming for roughly ₹76M ($893K USD); in November 2024 India-based gaming agency and creator service provider Trinity Gaming in a deal valued at ₹240M (approximately $2.83M USD); and in July 2024 it completed the acquisition of Berlin-based esports and gaming marketing agency Freaks 4U Gaming GmbH.