Valorant Open - Groups - AGC 2026

1.1 Map Pool

• Ascent
• Breeze
• Fracture
• Haven
• Lotus
• Pearl
• Split

1.2 Servers

All matches must be played on South African Servers. Unless stated otherwise by Admins.

1.3 Riot GAME ID's

Players are required to have their RIOT ID up to date and accurate. This includes having the number after their name (e.g Player#1337 and not just Player). Any player who has an incorrect ID will risk forfeiting the match.

1.4 Grace Period

A participant must be in the game lobby with their opponent within 15 minutes after a match’s start time. Proof must be provided that there was an attempt to contact the missing opponent.

1.5 Delays

Participants may not delay the start of a match without the approval of an admin. Participants may delay a match between games for up to five minutes.

If the participant does not have the minimum required players, they can play one map short handed. If the missing player is not in game by map 2 the team will be forfeited.

Tech-Pauses have a limit of 15 minutes. Should this timer be reached, the match must be continued or forfeitted.

1.6 Match Schedule

In a knockout tournament, participants that have not completed their matches before the scheduled start time of the next round of fixtures must contact an admin. Participants that do not attempt to contact an admin will have their fixtures forfeit once the 'Grace Period' of the following fixture expires.

1.7 Lag

If a whole team is experiencing lag an Admin should be contacted, however, it is up to the players themselves to manage their own connection. As the servers are dedicated there should be little connection issues unless it's on the player's side. If a server is experiencing problems, proof in screenshots and/or videos should be provided to the admins from multiple players.

1.8 Disconnections

If a player disconnects 30 seconds into the first round, the game should be replayed. If it is after 30 seconds the game should continue 4v5 and the player should reconnect as soon as possible, a pause may be used ONLY at the start of the next round if they are still disconnected. The pause may only last a maximum of 5 minutes.

Should it not be possible to pause the match and reinvite the player(game glitch), the match should be ended and the player reinvited. The match should then be continued from the point where it was ended (in terms of score). 

1.9 Hosting

The higher seeded participant at match time must host all matches, however, both participants should take the initiative to invite and/or message the other about the game lobby. Failure to do so can result in a forfeit. Higher seed selects whether they would like to ban first or pick side. You can then either play using the maps listed on the site, or proceed with a standard VETO process

 
1.10 Time Limit

Participants must report the match results within 10 minutes of its completion. Failure to report the match results or respond to admins may result in a forfeit. 

1.11 Double Forfeit

If a match is not played and neither participant contacts the admin requesting the forfeit or win, both participants will be knocked out of the tournament.

1.12 Seeding

Participants will be seeded according to their game ELO. The higher seed is determined by the participant with the seed closest to 0. Example: Seed 4 is a higher seed than seed 10. 

1.13 Boosting 

Players may not use another player to boost into another spot on the map. 

1.14 Dodging Queues

Not selecting a character during the character select screen will result in a forfeit of the map.

1.15 Coaches

A coach may join the lobby as long as they are in the coaches slot in the lobby. The coach must be registered as a sub/coach on the website for them to be allowed to join. 

2.1 Communication

Only communication via the ACGL Match page will be accepted. In cases where competitors cannot use the match page, they are requested to use the relevant Discord chat channel in the ACGL server.

2.2 Rule Changes

ACGL reserves the right to make changes to the rules before or during any tournament. ACGL also reserves the right to make decisions outside of the rulebook where necessary to ensure fair play and the smooth running of the tournament.

2.3 Admin Discretion

All Admin Discretion will be exercised reasonably, and in good faith. 

2.4 Late Entries

Participants will not be able to sign up to tournaments once the sign-up deadline has been reached. 

2.5 Misconduct and Unsportsmanlike Behaviour

All players are to behave in a respectful way towards other competitors and ACGL Staff. Any form of conduct that is deemed unsportsmanlike are subject to penalty. This includes, but is not limited to toxic behaviour, harassment, discriminatory language, cheating attempts and flaming.

2.6 Conflict of Interest

Participation in prize tournaments, unless otherwise explicitly permitted, is not allowed for employees of ACGL, its partners, or tournament sponsors.

2.7 Connections

Should an admin decide that your in-game connection is regularly in conflict with others or too unstable to fairly compete against other participants, you may be forfeited or blacklisted from our tournaments and matchfinders. 

2.8 VPN

The use of a VPN (Eg: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc) when connecting to our website or app is strictly prohibited and may result in you getting banned. Use of a GPN or Gaming VPN (Such as Exitlag, NoPing, etc) to connect to game-servers is permitted. 

2.9 Prize Distribution

1. Payments for tournaments with a monetary payout will be made within 30 days (unless otherwise stated) following the receipt of confirmed payout details. Prize payments can be made to a South African bank account or via PayPal. Monetary prizes not claimed after 3 months are subject to forfeiture.
2. Delivery of physical prizes can take between 1-3 months (unless otherwise stated). Any physical prizes not claimed after 30 days are subject to forfeiture.
3. Tournaments with a “sliding-scale prize pool” have participation-dependent prizes. This means that a specific number of confirmed participants must be reached before a prize becomes valid and claimable.

2.10 Hosting Rights

Hosting rights for peer-to-peer and or private matches will be given to players currently residing in South Africa. Should both participants agree, either participant may host the match. Once a match has started, all participants agree to who the hosting participant is, and any effects the host has on the outcome of that match. 

2.11 Broadcasting

1. ACGL reserves the right to use any material cast or streamed by a player when participating in ACGL tournaments.
2. Personal Streams: All personal streaming is allowed.
3. Community Broadcasts: All participants must agree to being on a community broadcast. This should be communicated to all participants at least 1 hour before the start of a match. For tournaments on a rolling schedule, it must be agreed to before the start of that match on the ACGL Match page. Community broadcasts should have at least a 2-minute delay (if applicable) and all personalities on community broadcasts must remain respectful to all participants and ACGL staff. ACGL reserves the right to request a take-down of any broadcast or bar any peoples or teams from running a broadcast in the future.

2.12 Spectators

Other than ACGL admins, spectators are only allowed if both participants agree. Disputes on spectators must be made before the start of the first game.

2.13 Loadshedding

1. Standard Cups will always proceed regardless of the stage of loadshedding, provided the tournament reaches the minimum number of participants.
2. If loadshedding is scheduled for stage 4 or above on the same day as an Event Series Finals, the dates of the finals may be moved to accommodate all participants.

2.14 New Characters / Maps

New characters, maps, stages, or additional downloadable content (DLC) added to any game may not be used in competition within 14 days of release. After this period, such content is only permitted if it is enabled within the game’s official competitive format. Specific restrictions or exceptions may be communicated on a per-game basis.  

2.15 Event / Game Specific Rules

Any rule(s) that apply to a specific event, tournament, or game will take precedence over these Global Rules. If you are unsure regarding any rule, please contact a tournament admin on the ACGL match page or through the ACGL Discord server.

2.16 Terms of Service

Players are required to adhere to the Terms of Service and Rules of ACGL and the Game Publisher or Title. Breaking any rules from either party may result in penalties.

2.17 Non-Disparagement

1. Participants may express their opinions regarding ACGL and ACGL tournaments or events, provided such statements are not false, defamatory, malicious, or otherwise intended to damage the reputation of ACGL, its events, or its staff.
2. Participants must not, whether publicly or privately, make or share false, defamatory, or malicious statements concerning ACGL, any ACGL event, or any ACGL staff member, nor encourage others to do so.
3. This section (2.17) does not, in any way, restrict or impede a Participant from complying with any applicable law or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or authorised government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law or order.
    

3.1 In-Game ID

1. Players must ensure that their in-game ID or name (relating to the tournament or game) is up to date on their ACGL account. Players may receive honour deductions or forfeitures at the discretion of the admins.
2. Players with profanity, vulgar text, or foreign characters that cannot be typed on a standard keyboard, console, or mobile device in their ID will be requested to remove the text. Failure to do so may result in honour deduction, or a ban.

3.2 Multi Accounts

3.3 Usernames, Team Names, and Logos

ACGL reserves the right to edit or require changes to user and team names or logos, and to deduct Honour, if such names or logos resemble or include copyrighted or trademarked content, are misleading, offensive, vulgar, or promote or incite hatred, discrimination, or harassment.  

3.4 Team Roster

A player may only play for one team in a tournament. The only players allowed to play for a team are the players listed for that team on the match page.

3.5 Account Sharing

Players are forbidden to allow others to play in tournaments in place of them by sharing game accounts. Account sharing may result in forfeiture, suspension, or a permanent ban depending on severity.

3.6 Multi Participation

Players are only allowed to play in one weekly cup per day. Leagues, or events that run over 1 week are permitted for multi participation, and players can enter multiple at the same time.

3.7 Roster Changes

1. Changes to a team’s roster may only be made before the end of the check-in stage of the related tournament. Admins do not adjust team rosters unless a viable reason is provided for the adjustment. 
2. Tournaments or Leagues that span over more than one week may allow for additional roster changes throughout the tournament. The additional rules, should they be applicable, will be available on the tournament, event or league.

3.8 Substitutes

Substitute players will be allowed for specified tournaments. These players are not required to check in, will not receive or lose any Skill, and will not count towards a team’s seeding. Substitutes will also not be awarded trophies or embers.

3.9 Country or Region

1. Deliberately faking the country of residence is punishable. A player found to be doing so while part of a team will result in a penalty to the player and their team.
2. Each tournament will specify a list of allowed regions. Only participants from the specified regions are permitted to participate in that specific tournament.
   1. Sub-Saharan Africa: 
      Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

   2. Sub-Saharan Africa & Northern African:
      Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Brazzaville, Congo - Kinshasa, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe

   3. Southern and Equatorial Africa
      Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

   4. South Africa

   5. All African Countries

3. Some tournaments may allow additional regions or have varied rules regarding players outside of the specified regions. These will be available and communicated on the tournament page on a per-tournament basis. If you are unsure about eligibility, please open a ticket on the ACGL Discord.

3.10 Banned Players

Playing with a banned player may result in the entire team receiving a penalty. A list of players banned from competing on the ACGL platform can be found here.

4.1 Disputes Regarding Rules

ACGL have final, binding authority to decide disputes with respect to the breach, termination, enforcement, or interpretation of these Rules. Disputes will be concluded in accordance with the rules as they are at the time of the dispute and at the discretion of the admins.

4.2 Disputes Parties

Only affected parties (people, players, organisation, and staff directly affected, positively or negatively) may create disputes or challenge decisions made by the admins.

4.3 Proof

All disputes must be submitted with proof to ACGL for a ruling to be made. The burden of proof is on the accuser.

4.4 Game Result Time Limit

Disputes must be made by either using the dispute button on the match page or by opening a ticket on the ACGL Discord server. An Admin will assist at their earliest availability. Disputes made within the below specified time-limit during inactive admin hours will still render the dispute valid.

1. Standard Cups: no later than 15 minutes after the end of a match.
2. Standard Battle Royales: before 09:00 SAST the following day.
3. League Matches: no later than 1 hour after the first result being entered.

5.1 Player and Team Reports

Users must submit a report in a ticket on the ACGL Discord. The report must clearly disclose the reason for the report, the date of the incident, all parties involved, and any evidence of the incident. Reports are made in full confidentiality and are never shared outside of the administration without the consent of the reporter. Reports must be made in good faith.

5.2 Cheating

Any form of cheating, hacking, abusing in-game mechanics, mods, or unsportsmanlike behaviour is subject to penalty.

5.3 Match-Fixing and Betting Fraud

Engaging in any action that improperly influences the outcome of a game or match by any means is strictly prohibited.

5.4 Doping

Any kind of doping is forbidden. Use of non-prescribed performance-enhancing substances is subject to penalty.

5.5 Deception or Manipulation

The attempt to deceive admins or other players with wrong or fake statements, information, or data will not be tolerated. Players found bribing or attempting to bribe an ACGL admin or trying to manipulate the competition will be punished accordingly.

5.6 Game Modification

Programs that provide an unfair advantage or make changes to the game itself are forbidden. Scripts and changes to the game or its configuration are forbidden unless otherwise stated in the tournament rules.

5.7 Equipment

Players may not use a Turbo or Button Macro controller. For console-only tournaments, the use of a keyboard and or mouse is strictly prohibited.

5.8 IP Flooding (DDos Attacks)

Performing or assisting with a DDoS attack of any participant or ACGL will be punished severely.

5.9 Lack of Cooperation

Failing to comply with a tournament admin’s directions and or requests may result in the forfeit of a game or the entire match.

5.10 Appeals

Users may submit an appeal of their penalty in a ticket on the ACGL Discord. The appeal must contain in good faith why the user believes their penalty should be appealed. Evidence will be required to appeal decisions where applicable. Users may receive a limit to the number of appeals they can make in a given time frame.

6.1 List of Penalties

A full list of possible penalties can be found below. ACGL, in its sole discretion, may also inflict additional penalties to the violating participants according to the admin team’s internal decision on the severity of the violation, as well as the context, or circumstance of said violation.

6.1 Honour Violations

Violations of the below nature may result in an honour deduction. The honour deduction applied is based on the severity of the violation and is at the discretion of ACGL Admins.

6.3 Honour Ban

Users who reach -20 Honour will receive a one-week ban. Further violations may result in additional penalties.

6.4 Major Violations

Violations of the below nature may result in suspensions or permanent bans. The length of the suspension or ban is based on the severity of the violation and is at the discretion of ACGL Admins. Subsequent violations may increase the ban duration. Actions that are deemed in violation of our Rules or Terms of Service but are not included in this list may still be subject to penalty. Violations occurring outside of the platform may still result in suspensions. However, such cases will generally result in reduced penalties and will only be taken into account should the infraction have occurred, and be reported, within a reasonable timeframe. All bans are first reviewed by ACGL admins before being applied.

6.5 Additional Penalties

Additional penalties that are not mentioned above include but are not limited to the following:

1. Team suspensions
2. Prize forfeiture(s)
3. Player or Team Disqualification(s)