A major North American esports organization, TSM, has announced its departure from competitive VALORANT on November 3rd, ending a significant five-year period in the scene.
TSM was among the first prominent teams to enter VALORANT when it launched in 2020. Their farewell message highlighted contributions such as signing one of the earliest Game Changers rosters and fostering co-streaming initiatives.
The team consistently aimed to compete at the highest level but recently struggled to reach those ambitions. Since 2023, TSM participated in the Challengers League, VALORANT's Tier 2 circuit.
Despite difficulties in securing strong results, TSM's objective was always to qualify for the VCT, the game’s top-tier league.
TSM came close to promotion more than once. In 2024, after placing second in the Challenger Playoffs, they earned a spot in the Ascension Tournament, the gateway to the VCT.
However, their campaign ended early when they failed to advance beyond the Group Stage, finishing 6th and missing the VCT qualification.
“The team’s ambition has always been to compete at the highest level, but in recent years, the team didn’t achieve that very ambition.”
Undeterred, TSM returned in 2025 aiming once again for VCT promotion, continuing their pursuit despite setbacks.
TSM's departure from VALORANT marks the close of a pioneering chapter, reflecting both their early impact and ongoing struggles in Riot Games' competitive FPS scene.
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