Looking back from the vantage point of 2026, the launch of Valorant in June 2020 feels like a pivotal moment in gaming history, a seed planted in the unique soil of a global pandemic that has since grown into a towering, unshakeable oak in the esports forest. The initial success was undeniable, yet the path forward for its competitive scene was shrouded in uncertainty, a promising engine stuck in neutral. The pandemic, acting like a sudden, thick fog over a runway, prevented the game's ripe esports opportunities from taking immediate flight. It forced a fundamental rethinking of strategy. The culmination of that early, patient groundwork was the First Strike tournament, an event whose significance has only magnified with time, serving as the foundational keystone for the global esports colossus Valorant has become today.
The Valorant First Strike tournament, a landmark event in late 2020, began with open qualifiers in late October, a wide net cast to find the continent's finest. The qualifier process was a crucible, methodically distilling the pool down to eight elite teams worthy of the Riot-hosted Regional Finals. The final contenders in North America were a who's who of emerging talent: Team Envy, 100 Thieves, Sentinels, Renegades, TSM, FaZe Clan, T1, and Immortals. The climactic battles unfolded between December 3 and 6, a weekend that would etch the first champions into Valorant's history.
The narrative of the Regional Finals was one of dominant paths converging. TSM carved through their bracket with surgical precision, delivering decisive 2-0 victories against Renegades and Team Envy. Their journey was like a well-oiled machine, each component firing in perfect harmony. On the other side of the bracket, 100 Thieves displayed a blend of finesse and resilience. They started with a clean 2-0 sweep of T1, but faced a sterner test against Sentinels, navigating a tense 2-1 series victory. This set the stage for a Grand Final that defied expectations.
In the championship match, 100 Thieves didn't just win; they announced their arrival. Against the favored TSM, they secured a commanding 3-1 victory. The effort was spearheaded by a legendary performance from star player Spencer "Hiko" Martin, whose clutch plays and strategic reads were as precise as a master watchmaker assembling a chronograph under pressure. His leadership and skill became the beating heart of their championship run.
The rewards for this historic win were substantial for the era:
| Placement | Team | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 100 Thieves | $40,000 |
| 2nd | TSM | $20,000 |
| 3rd-4th | Team Envy, Sentinels | $10,000 (each) |
| 5th-8th | FaZe Clan, T1, Immortals, Renegades | $5,000 (each) |
While the $100,000 total prize pool may seem modest compared to the multi-million dollar spectacles of today's Valorant Champions Tour, its true value was symbolic. It was the ignition spark for Riot's official esports ecosystem, proving that a structured, developer-led competitive model could thrive. The tournament was more than a competition; it was a proof of concept, a blueprint for the future.
Fast-forward to 2026, and the esports landscape has been utterly transformed. The cautious, pandemic-era planning gave way to a roaring, global circuit. Riot Games, having learned from those initial steps, built the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) into a year-long saga of international leagues, thrilling Masters events, and the crowning World Championship. The days of uncertain schedules are long gone, replaced by a predictable, fan-engaging calendar that rivals traditional sports. The threat that once complicated live events has receded, allowing for packed arenas and the electric atmosphere that defines top-tier esports.
Third-party tournaments, once the primary keepers of the competitive flame between official Riot events, have evolved into vital proving grounds and community festivals. They are no longer just fillers but integral parts of the ecosystem, nurturing talent and experimenting with formats. The JBL Quantum Cup of 2020, with its $50,000 prize pool, was an early example of this vibrant supplementary scene that continues to flourish.
Reflecting on this journey, the 100 Thieves victory at First Strike stands not as a nostalgic relic, but as the prototype for every underdog story and championship climax that has followed. They proved that in Valorant, with the right mix of strategy, skill, and nerve, any team could claim glory. The game, now a staple on PC and expanding to new platforms, has cemented its place. From a promising start in challenging times to a present-day esports titan, Valorant's competitive story is one of brilliant adaptation and relentless growth—a story that began with a first strike heard around the gaming world.