China’s eSports scene is ready to take a giant leap with the VCT China Kickoff, beginning in Shanghai on February 22nd. This landmark tournament marks the birth of the country’s first dedicated Valorant league, bringing together the top 10 teams in a battle for supremacy.
Not only will the event celebrate the meteoric rise of Chinese Valorant, but it also serves as a crucial stepping stone, with the top two teams earning a coveted spot at the prestigious Masters Madrid. Despite their relatively short time in the spotlight, Valorant teams from China have already demonstrated their prowess with outstanding results last season. You can expect an even heightened sense of commitment from these teams following the introduction of franchising in Chinese Valorant.
Since this is a new competition with new teams, we’re here to break down all the dynamics of this tournament. We’ve combed through the latest bookmaker William Hill odds to craft a detailed betting preview to put you ahead of the curve.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 20th, 4:00 P.M. (GMT)
EDward Gaming is the scorching hot favourite at 1.50, eager to rekindle their fiery form from last season. They took the Valorant world by storm exploding onto the scene at Masters Tokyo. China’s finest shocked everyone, slaying giants like T1, NAVI, and LOUD.
While their Champions run wasn’t quite as electrifying, the experience only fuelled their hunger for more. Now, hardened by international battles, EDG stands as a true contender for global titles. Securing a top two finish at the Kickoff event won’t just be a victory, it’ll be a potent stepping stone towards their ultimate goal: hoisting an international trophy.
Bilibili Gaming is another Chinese team that made a real wave last season, splashing onto the international scene by qualifying for Masters Tokyo and delivering some electrifying matches. While they might not quite pack the same global punch as EDward Gaming, they still put in a respectable performance on the big stage. Yang “B3Ar” Zhanxiong is at 6.00 to become the first-ever China VCT champion.
While EDG is the hot favourite, the best value comes from backing the team that has the best potential to beat them. That’s why our betting recommendation is JD Gaming, a team with the potential to upset the giants. They’ve recently acquired the powerhouse roster of Rare Atom, once considered China’s second-best after EDG.
A disappointing loss to DRG in the Ascension finals denied them VCT League entry. Under the new label, we believe this team has what it takes to claim the throne of Chinese Valorant. They are at 251.00 to win the title, but those brave enough to have faith in them might get rewarded handsomely.
