Attention Valorant fans! Some of the finest pro Valorant teams are getting ready to go head-to-head on December 9 – 11 in an explosive off-season tournament – the third iteration of Red Bull Home Ground. The setting for this year’s competition is Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, which will transform from a music venue to an esports hub as fans flock to see some top-level esports action. The city of Manchester is known for its vibrant atmosphere, making it the perfect location for Red Bull Home Ground’s cyberpunk-fuelled aesthetic.
This unique tournament features a ‘Home and Away’ format, in which teams can choose which maps they battle on, emphasising map knowledge and strategic diversity. Each team picks a map for the opening two rounds and should one team win both, the match is won. In the event of a tie, the stalemate will default to the traditional best-of-five format.
Last year’s event saw many of the intense matches settled in 2-0 wins, as the more prepared teams won out. Team Liquid were last year’s champions, closely followed by runners-up Acend. This year, Team Liquid are returning to Red Bull Home Ground alongside Team Vitality and FOKUS Clan, bringing some of the finest EMEA Valorant teams together for an epic battle and the opportunity to settle the score and determine who the best squad in the region truly are.
The star-studded lineup also features two qualifier spots, with Turkish team FUT Esports securing one place in the Turkish qualifier, while Germany’s Berlin International Gaming (BIG) picked up the second spot in the EMEA qualifier.
For the first time, Red Bull Home Ground has opened its doors to teams outside of Europe, who are set to make waves as they face the best squads that EMEA has to offer – they’ll no doubt be taking aim at securing the trophy and netting some bragging rights on British soil. Expect to see some killer competitors joining the fray – as after all, with a $100,000 prize pool to compete for, these squads will surely be bringing their A-game to the tournament.
UK fans can immerse themselves in the tournament by attending the event in person while enjoying a neon underground aesthetic in the iconic Victoria Warehouse venue in the heart of Manchester. Digital audiences across the globe can view all the action live via Twitch and YouTube, with commentary available from co-streamers in several languages.
“Red Bull Home Ground brings together some of the world’s top teams, giving us the opportunity to see completely new match-ups and team partnerships ahead of next year,” said Valorant analyst, commentator, and content creator Beatriz “kaquka” Alonso. “The unique format means we’ll see teams perform and strategise in totally new ways, bringing unpredictability to one of the most anticipated tournaments for some time. I look forward to catching up with the UK Valorant community and fans in the vibrant city of Manchester – see you there!”
With top-tier production value, world-class talent, and a unique format, Red Bull Home Ground 2022 promises to be one of the most electrifying Valorant events in the history of the esport. The event will take place from December 9 – 11, so mark your calendars now! For more information on Red Bull Home Ground including how you can attend the event, head over to the official website and get your tickets here.
