MOUZ exits VALORANT, citing misalignment with current VCT structure

German esports organisation MOUZ has announced that it will no longer continue competing in VALORANT, ending a four-year stint in Riot Games’ tactical shooter.

In a statement published on the team’s X account (formerly Twitter), the organisation said that the current structure of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) does not align with its long-term ambitions and that it does not ‘see a place’ for itself within the existing ecosystem.

“We have made the decision to not continue with VALORANT,” the post reads. “The current VCT format does not align with our ambition as a team, and we do not see a place for us in the current ecosystem.”

The organisation also thanked its partners, players and coaching staff for their contributions throughout its VALORANT journey.

Though the organization did not go into specifics, MOUZ’s exit adds to a growing list of organisations reassessing their involvement in VALORANT’s tier-two ecosystem. Since entering the scene in 2022, the organisation primarily competed in the DACH Challengers circuit, regularly contending for domestic titles and Ascension qualification.

Despite several strong domestic finishes — including winning VALORANT Challengers 2024 DACH: Evolution Split 2 and qualifying for VCT Ascension EMEA 2024 — MOUZ was unable to secure promotion. Its Ascension run ended with a fifth to sixth-place finish, highlighting the narrow margins and high risk associated with the pathway to tier one.

Under the current VCT model, teams outside of the partnered leagues rely heavily on short competitive windows, limited prize pools and a single promotion route through Ascension. For organisations, this means sustained investment with no guarantee of long-term stability or revenue-sharing unless promotion is achieved.

Concerns about the economic viability of this structure have been repeatedly raised across the scene. Last year, the VALORANT Players Association published a report warning that the future of tier-two competition ‘hangs in the balance,’ pointing to minimal return on investment, reduced calendars and a lack of financial incentives for organisations.

Riot Games has taken some steps to address sustainability. In June, the publisher confirmed it would allow betting sponsorships across VALORANT and League of Legends esports in North America and EMEA, stating the move was part of ‘investing in a sustainable ecosystem.’

According to Riot, a portion of the revenue generated from the programme will be reinvested into the tier-two scene, including increased prize pools and expanded development initiatives.

However, MOUZ’s decision suggests that, for some organisations, these measures have yet to materially change the risk-reward balance of competing outside of tier one.