TSM, one of North America’s most recognized organizations, has officially stepped away from the VALORANT esports scene. It announced its exit and has no plans to return anytime soon.
TSM burst onto the competitive VALORANT scene in 2020, and its journey over these five years has been marked by ambition, passionate fan engagement, and plenty of memorable moments.
The org shared gratitude for developer Riot’s sustained efforts to improve the Tier 2 scene and thanked all fans and players who stood by the team through thick and thin. “Now, after half a decade in VALORANT, we plan on exiting the space with no immediate return in sight,” TSM said in an announcement post on X (formerly Twitter).
Back in 2020, VALORANT was just making its way into esports, and TSM didn’t hesitate. The org was among the earliest teams to take the plunge, signing a roster that quickly earned fans for its flair and energy.
The organization’s vision in entering the professional scene of Riot’s shooter title was to join high-stakes competition and serve as a home for community involvement and grassroots talent development. Its focus extended beyond wins and losses as TSM pushed for the type of co-streaming content that brought more eyes into the scene, teaming up with creators like Myth to make every match a true event for viewers.
TSM ran a main squad while investing in an academy team and even fielding one of the first Game Changers rosters in the region. Over these years, the org faced ups and downs of the Challengers circuit, maintained a competitive presence, and each season hoped to finally break into tier one.
While TSM never cemented a franchise spot, its perseverance led to consistent improvements. In 2025, that effort paid off with a berth in the Ascension grand finals, arguably the highlight of TSM’s stint in the game. The team had a successful run in the Ascension this year, securing the runner-up spot and winning $22,000 from the prize pool. Unfortunately, the team lost 1-3 against a mightier ENVY and failed to secure a spot in VCT Americas 2026.
For now, TSM’s iconic black-and-white jerseys will be absent from VCT, but its early rivalry with 100Thieves will surely linger. TSM’s exit is undeniably the end of an era in VALORANT esports.
