Based on the information we’ve received, there is a 99% chance that no representatives from VCS will participate in the upcoming Worlds 2020. The tournament will continue with the remaining 22 teams without any Vietnamese representatives, and it’s likely that the organizers will need to adjust the format slightly to accommodate the number of teams participating.
According to the latest information we have received, VCS teams that qualified for Worlds 2020 but cannot attend will still receive prize money from Riot Games. This prize money will be based on the teams’ standings after the VCS Summer 2020 concludes. Additionally, there will be an extra amount received from the profits generated by selling the Championship skins.
If this year’s prize pool for Worlds is equivalent to that of 2019, the total amount that VCS representatives could receive is not small at all, reaching billions of VND.
At Worlds 2019, GAM Esports, finishing in 13-16th place, received $27,812.50 (approximately 642,468,750 VND). As for Lowkey Esports (now Team Secret), they placed 17-20th and received $16,687.50 (approximately 385,481,250 VND).
Thus, the total amount earned by Vietnamese representatives from Worlds 2019 was $44,500, equivalent to 1,027,950,000 VND. This amount is the publicly disclosed prize money from Riot and does not include additional prize money from the revenue generated by selling Championship skins and items during the Worlds event.
Therefore, the two VCS teams that secured spots at this year’s Worlds, even though they won’t compete, still have the potential to receive over 1 billion VND, not including the money shared from the profits of selling the Leblanc Championship skin for Worlds 2020.
Earlier this year, the percentage of revenue from the sale of the Nautilus Conqueror skin, originally designated for the MSI 2020 event, was also evenly distributed among the Spring Split champion teams, including Team Flash. So, it’s certain that the prize money from the sale of the Championship skins for 2020 will also be approved by Riot for the two VCS representatives.
This can be seen as a “small consolation” for VCS teams unable to attend Worlds in Shanghai this fall.
We will continue to update information about the tournament as quickly and accurately as possible, so stay tuned!