Valorant Tournament Basics
Valorant's tactical 5v5 gameplay makes it one of the most popular esports titles for community tournaments. Here's how to run a great Valorant event.
Team Size and Format
Standard Valorant competitive is 5v5. Most community tournaments use:
- 8 teams - Single elimination, can finish in one evening
- 16 teams - Single or double elimination, half-day event
- 32+ teams - Swiss system or groups into playoffs
Map Pool and Veto System
Decide on your map pool. Most tournaments use the current competitive map pool. For best-of-1 matches, use a ban system (each team bans maps, remaining map is played). For best-of-3, alternate bans and picks.
Match Settings
Use custom games with tournament mode enabled. Standard settings: 13 rounds to win (or overtime rules), knife round for side selection, and standard economy. Clearly document all settings in your tournament rules.
Anti-Cheat and Fair Play
Valorant's Vanguard anti-cheat handles most concerns, but establish clear rules about:
- Minimum account level requirements
- No smurfing policies
- Stream delay requirements for streamed matches
- Pause and disconnect rules
Scheduling Tips
Account for match length: a Valorant BO1 can take 30-60 minutes, BO3 can take 2-3 hours. Build buffer time between rounds. Weekend afternoons work best for most regions.
Running the Event on SQUADHUB.GG
Create your tournament, set Valorant as the game, choose your format, and open registration. The platform handles brackets, score reporting, and standings automatically. Use the Discord bot for match notifications.