Riot Games is set to launch the second regular season of VCT Pacific on July 15, with the finals staged over two days—Aug. 30 and 31—at LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. This marks the first time the VCT Pacific championship series will be held outside South Korea, underscoring Japan’s growing influence in VALORANT esports.

Stage 2 action will open at Seoul’s Sangam SOOP Colosseum, where group-stage and most playoff matches will run through Aug. 17. Teams will compete in a single round-robin format, with the top four squads from each group advancing to a double-elimination playoff bracket. Alpha Group features RRQ, DRX, Gen.G, Nongshim RedForce, Global Esports and Team Secret, while BOOM Esports, Talon Esports, T1, Paper Rex, ZETA Division and DetonatioN FocusMe make up Omega Group.

Paper Rex enters Stage 2 buoyed by its status as Pacific representative at Masters Toronto, fueling expectations for intense competition. All 12 teams will vie not only for the Stage 2 crown but also for critical points toward qualification for Champions; the two finalists will lock in direct berths, and the next two highest point-earners in the 2025 standings will claim the remaining seeds.

In a nod to Japan’s passionate fanbase, a specially commissioned theme song by rapper-singer Yuki Chiba will debut on July 11. Titled “Shinpai Muyou,” the track will premiere on major streaming platforms, with its music video exclusive to the VCT Pacific YouTube channel. Chiba is also scheduled to perform live during the grand finals on Aug. 31.

Tickets for the Seoul group stage and playoffs go on sale June 27 via NOL Tickets and Interpark Global, with finals tickets available July 6 through AXS in English. From July 15 to Aug. 17, a VCT Pacific Experience Zone on the SOOP Colosseum’s 11th floor will welcome ticket holders and walk-in guests, featuring team merchandise, mascots, photo booths and live viewing areas. Fans can expect further on-site activations for the Japan finals to be announced in the coming weeks.