VALORANT teams that earn VCT international league spots via Challengers will be protected from poaching

Beginning in 2023, VALORANT teams that compete in the expanded tier two Challengers ecosystem will have the opportunity to qualify for the top international leagues beginning the following year for a two-year period. These teams will be “safeguarded” from poaching by partnered teams, according to a statement from Whalen Rozelle, head of esports operations at Riot.

In a statement first reported by The Washington Post, Rozelle said that roster protections would be instituted across the international leagues and that these would protect promoted teams from having their talent poached by the partnered teams.