Riot announces First Strike NA prize pool, qualifier details

Valorant’s North American qualifiers details and prize pool have been released, as eight teams will compete for a $100k prize pool.

There will be two NA qualifying tournaments which will whittle down the starting total of teams to a final eight. These eight squads will then compete in the NA regional final for the lion’s share of the $100k prize pool. 

When does NA First Strike start?

Competition begins on October 26 and will conclude on December 6. The 128 team tournament will be produced by Nerd Street Gamers and Engine Media (UMG).

The schedule for competition is as follows:

• October 26-30 – NSG Open Qualifier
  • 16 teams advance to the first qualifying tournament
• November 4-8 – NSG Tournament
  • Top four teams advance to Valorant First Strike Event
  • Next four teams advance to UMG Tournament 2
• November 11-15 – UMG Open Qualifier
  • 12 teams from UMG advance to the second qualifying tournament
• November 18-22 UMG Tournament
  • Pool includes four teams from NSG Tournament
  • Top four teams advance to Valorant First Strike Event
• December 3-6 – Valorant First Strike Event
  • Eight teams compete for $100k prize pool

Matches can be watched via Valorant’s NA channels on Twitch or YouTube Gaming. 

How does the First Strike Tournament work?

This tournament is excellent for competition because it allows any team, whether they’re professional or amateur, to enter. The First Strike tournament allows unknown talents a shot at the spotlight if their team can make its way through the ranks. Each region is having its own individual qualifiers, so this tournament is specifically tailored to the North American region. Fans wishing to pursue a career in professional Valorant will have a chance to make that dream a reality. 

Other regions have been releasing info on their own qualifiers, and information for all regions should be completely revealed in the coming days. Details for Europe, Brazil, OCE, and Korea have already been unveiled. Some regional tournaments, such as Brazil, have already begun their qualifiers.

Organizers in each region have determined how they will hold their qualifiers, and will compete in their regional final December 3-6.