Sources: Weibo Gaming targeting VALORANT return in China Tier 2

According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Weibo Gaming are set to make their return to VALORANT in Tier 2, featuring several names familiar to fans of VCT China and VCT Pacific. The roster is expected to include Hsu "Yoyo" Yuh-siang, who played with TYLOO in 2025, and Fei "Satoshi" from Wolves Esports.

The duo should be joined by another pair composed of Cha "AcMe" Il-hwan and "chenze", who both played for Zhu Chao Gaming during the 2025 Ascension tournament. This quartet is completed by the arrival of Zhang "XiaoFei1" Yi, who has not competed since late 2023, with his last appearance coming at the 2023 Ascension tournament.

Thus, still according to sources close to Sheep Esports, the project is expected to be coached by Ji "meow" Dong-jun, who was part of BOOM Esports during their promotion to VCT Pacific in 2024, before signing with Team Secret for the 2025 season. The Korean coach, without a project since the end of that stint, is now expected to join China’s Tier 2 with the ambition of replicating the same feat achieved with BOOM.

According to our information, and as first reported by GoogGoogGame on X, Aaron "mindfreak" Leonhart is indeed in discussions with the project and is registered as a substitute but is not expected to be active. Indeed, only one import player is allowed per team in China’s Tier 2, which is already the case with AcMe. However, mindfreak will most likely play in Ascension in AcMe’s place if he decides to sign a formal contract with Weibo.

Having joined TYLOO for VCT CN Stage 2, Yoyo is the only player in the lineup to have already competed at the highest level of VALORANT esports — excluding mindfreak, who is therefore not expected to play for now. The former Indonesian player, who spent nearly five years with Paper Rex, has experienced everything at the top level, but has not returned to competition since being benched in mid-July 2025. For his part, despite joining Wolves Esports ahead of Kickoff 2026, Satoshi did not take part in the competition with the Chinese organization, only appearing in unofficial events. He was ultimately released from his contract on March 26, just over four months after joining.

Active in the game between 2020 and 2024, Weibo Gaming, named after the well-known Chinese social network, left Riot Games’ FPS following the introduction of the VCT franchised system in China after not being selected by the North American publisher. The organization now appears set to confirm its return in early 2026, competing in Tier 2 through the VALORANT China National Tournament, the only pathway to the Ascension tournament, itself the sole route to Tier 1.

This circuit takes place across several stages throughout the year, where participating teams earn points based on their performances. Those who accumulate enough points and are validated by the tournament organizer can then qualify for the promotion tournament to VCT China.