The official GSA Valorant league is starting with a new concept this year and is also expanding its partnership with existing title partner HanseMerkur. For the first time, esports teams will be actively involved in the "HanseMerkur Challengers DACH: Evolution" in an executive role.

The top German-speaking Valorant esports league, the HanseMerkur Challengers DACH: Evolution, is entering a new phase with a major realignment. Starting on 18 January 2025, esports teams will have the opportunity to actively shape and develop an official Riot Games league for the future. A group of initiators, including four esports organisations SK Gaming, Mouz, Eintracht Frankfurt and Fokus as well as the Project V initiative founded by TaKeTV developed the core concept of the league. For the first time, esports teams will not only participate in the league, but also act as organisers. This allows them to contribute their expertise from a new perspective and optimise the project to meet the needs of both teams and fans.

The following eight teams will compete in the new season: - TeamOrangeGaming - Permitta Unicorns - Xperion NXT - Eintracht Frankfurt - Mouz - Fokus - CGN Esports - Alternate aTTaX

The first stage kicks off on 18 January with an offline event at the SK Gaming Magenta Facility in Cologne. Three offline events are planned in this phase. In addition, each esports organisation will introduce a dedicated content creator as the face of the league, fostering stronger community engagement and expanding its reach. "The league places great emphasis on supporting the female and amateur esports scenes. By organizing and nurturing these areas, it aims to create an inclusive environment offering growth opportunities for players of all skill levels," the organisers states.

As a founding partner, the German health insurance company HanseMerkur will continue to support the league in 2025 as the official title sponsor. By renewing its commitment, the league's continuous title partner since its inception in 2022, underscores the importance and sustainability of its support. Eric Bussert, Executive Board Member at HanseMerkur, explains: "At HanseMerkur, we stand for reliability and security in the insurance sector, and we remain a steady and trustworthy partner within the dynamic Valorant ecosystem and the league’s new operator structure. Shared values like community, teamwork, and trust in the game have connected us from the start. Our goal is to further support the promising growth of the esports scene and to maintain our successful partnership in the long term."

Dennis Gehlen, CEO of TaKeTV, adds: "This realignment marks a significant step for esports in the DACH region. The teams bring years of experience and a fresh perspective as esports professionals, which we believe will yield valuable insights. Thanks to the reliable support of our partner HanseMerkur, we are creating a platform together that provides optimal conditions for both established teams and up-and-coming talents."

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Written by

Marcel Kleffmann
Marcel Kleffmann