Acend became the first Valorant world champion by winning Valorant Champions 2021. The tournament was the inaugural world championship for Riot Games’ tactical shooter and was held in Berlin, Germany, from December 1 to 12, 2021.
Acend defeated Gambit Esports in the grand final. The series went to the deciding fifth map, making the championship one of the closest major finals in early Valorant history. Acend’s roster included Mehmet Yağız “cNed” İpek, a star duelist who became one of the event’s best-known players.
The title followed earlier international events such as Masters Reykjavík and Masters Berlin, but Champions was the season-ending tournament designated to determine the world champion. Acend’s victory is therefore distinct from Sentinels’ win at the first Masters event and from later Champions winners such as LOUD and Evil Geniuses.