As champions of VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 1, RRQ arrived at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 with momentum, belief, and the hopes of an entire region on their shoulders. Representing Asia Pacific, the team had shown their strength on the regional stage—but the road at the international level remains unforgiving.
Group Stage: A Promising Start, a Harsh Reality
Held from July 8–10, the group stage followed a GSL (double-elimination) format, with four teams in each group and only the top two advancing to the playoffs. RRQ was placed in Group C, alongside:
- Titan Esports Club (China)
- NRG (USA)
- Team Heretics (Spain)
In their opening match, RRQ looked dominant, defeating Titan Esports Club convincingly with a 13-6 scoreline in a best-of-one. The win sparked optimism among fans—RRQ had made a statement.
However, in their next match against NRG, one of North America’s top contenders, RRQ struggled to find their rhythm and fell 0-2 in the best-of-three series.
This set up a do-or-die decider match against Team Heretics, who had just beaten Titan EC 2-1. Despite their efforts, RRQ couldn’t regain their footing and lost the series 0-2, ultimately finishing in the 9–12th bracket and earning $25,000 USD in prize money.
Check out our Editor’s Choice: Does Esports Need Physical Aptitude? A Scientific Reexamination of the Gamer’s Body
Comparing to Toronto: Signs of Progress
In terms of results, RRQ’s showing at EWC 2025 was a slight improvement over their previous international appearance at the Masters Toronto 2025, where they were eliminated after just two matches:
- Upper Bracket QF vs Wolves Esports (China): Lost 0-2
- Lower Bracket R1 vs Fnatic (UK): Lost 1-2
At EWC, they secured one win out of three matches—a modest step forward, but still short of their ultimate goal.
A Note of Reflection: The Journey Continues
What RRQ accomplished in the VCT 2025 Pacific region cannot be overstated. Rising above 11 other elite teams to claim the championship was a milestone achievement, proving that the team belongs among Asia-Pacific’s finest.
But on the global stage, the challenges are steeper. The results from Masters Toronto and EWC 2025 show that while RRQ is on the right track, there’s still ground to cover. The margins at the top are razor-thin, and consistency under pressure remains the key to unlocking deeper runs.
Still, this is not a story of failure—it’s a story of progress. RRQ continues to evolve, to push, and to believe. The hunger is there. The potential is real. And their journey to becoming a true global powerhouse is far from over.
For now, the finish line remains just out of reach. But RRQ doesn’t stop here. They fight on—until the very last round.