After three years of competing in Valorant, TSM has officially announced the end of their operations in Riot Games’ tactical shooter. The organization confirmed their exit on November 3, marking the conclusion of a project that began with high ambitions but ended in disappointment after failing to qualify for the VCT (Valorant Champions Tour).
TSM’s Valorant journey ends after five years
TSM entered Valorant in 2020, one of the first major esports organizations to commit fully to Riot’s new FPS title. The organization fielded not only a main roster, but also a high-level academy team and a Game Changers roster, signaling their intent to develop talent across all competitive tiers.
The team found moderate success in early tournaments, earning recognition for its entertainment value and exciting roster compositions. However, as the global competitive scene evolved, TSM struggled to keep pace with the top teams in North America.
Despite multiple attempts to reach Tier 1 play through the Challengers and Ascension circuits, TSM consistently fell short. Their 2025 run ended in heartbreak when they lost the Ascension Grand Final to Envy, missing yet another opportunity to join the VCT franchise league.
TSM’s statement on leaving Valorant
In their official announcement, shared on TSM’s X account the organization thanked Riot Games, their players, and the community for their support, but confirmed there are “no immediate plans to return” to Valorant.
“In 2020, TSM joined Valorant esports with an entertaining and competitive roster that is fondly remembered to this day. We signed a main team, a high-level academy team, and were one of the first organizations to sign a Game Changers roster — all with the goal of developing teams and talent from the ground up.
Throughout the last 3 years we have continuously navigated the Challengers circuit in the hopes of finally reaching Tier 1. We improved gradually, year over year, culminating in an Ascension Grand Finals berth in 2025. Now, after half a decade in Valorant, we plan on exiting the space with no immediate return in sight.”
“We would like to thank Riot for their continued attempts to restructure the Tier 2 ecosystem for the better, and for creating a game we all love. We extend our deepest appreciation to all our players over these past 5 years who have made our history within this esport possible.”
A wider restructuring within TSM
TSM’s departure from Valorant follows a broader trend of the organization scaling back its involvement in major esports. In recent years, TSM has exited titles such as Dota 2 and even League of Legends, a game where the organization once dominated North America.
These moves come after a period of internal restructuring and controversy, including reports in 2022 of a “culture of fear” and a toxic work environment allegedly fostered by CEO Andy “Reginald” Dinh. Since then, TSM has appeared to downsize its operations and shift away from expensive Tier 1 esports ventures.
With their exit from Valorant, TSM is now absent from all top-tier competitive esports, signaling a major shift in the organization’s strategy and future direction.
What happens to the players?
Following the announcement, TSM’s Valorant players are now free agents and available to negotiate with other organizations. Whether the team stays together or splits up remains unclear, but several players from TSM’s 2025 Ascension roster are expected to draw interest from other Tier 2 and Tier 1 teams heading into the next season.
The end of an era
TSM’s departure marks the end of a once-promising chapter in Valorant’s esports history. The organization entered the scene with major ambitions and a loyal fan base but ultimately couldn’t translate that momentum into sustained success.
While fans may hold out hope for a future return, TSM’s own words—“no immediate return in sight”—suggest that this is a permanent exit for now.
Source: TSM Official Statement on X
