By Sagar V. Mankar 
In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Thailand’s Bacon Time emerged victorious at the Arena of Valor International Championship (AIC) 2024, held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The championship, which ran from December 5 to December 29, 2024, saw Bacon Time clinch the title by defeating BanMei Gaming with a decisive 4-0 victory in the grand finals. This win earned them a substantial prize of $200k.
Tournament Overview
The AIC 2024 was an offline event organized by Garena, featuring 16 teams from various regions. The tournament was divided into two main stages: the Swiss Stage and the Knockout Stage. The Swiss Stage took place from December 5 to December 15, where teams played five rounds of matches against opponents with similar records. Matches determining elimination or qualification were best-of-five (Bo5), while all others were best-of-three (Bo3).
Teams that secured three wins advanced to the Knockout Stage, held from December 19 to December 29. This stage followed a double-elimination bracket format, with all matches played in Bo7, except for round one which is Bo5. The total prize pool for the tournament was $494,000.
Bacon Time’s Journey
Bacon Time’s journey to the championship was nothing short of spectacular. They dominated the Swiss Stage, securing a 3-0 record with a 7-2 game score. This performance earned them a spot in the Knockout Stage, where they continued their winning streak.
In the Knockout Stage, Bacon Time faced Saigon Phantom in the quarterfinals, securing a 3-1 victory. They then went on to defeat eArena 4-3 in a closely contested semifinal match. In the grand finals, Bacon Time showcased their prowess by sweeping BanMei Gaming 4-0, clinching the championship title.
Participating Teams and Prizes
The 16 teams that participated in the AIC 2024 and their respective prizes were as follows:
- Bacon Time – $200,000
- BanMei Gaming – $100,000
- FULL SENSE – $70,000
- eArena – $30,000
- Flash Wolves – $20,000
- Saigon Phantom – $20,000
- Talon Esports – $14,000
- ONE Team – $14,000
- Hydra Esports – $2,000
- One Star Esports – $2,000
- Super Heavy – $2,000
- ANK Gaming – $2,000
- Team Flash – $2,000
- The Daredevil Team – $2,000
- Hong Kong Attitude – $2,000
- Old Man’s – $2,000
The AIC 2024 not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the participating teams but also showcased the growing popularity and excitement surrounding the Arena of Valor esports scene. The tournament draws over 2 million viewers, while the finale peaks at over 762,000 viewers, according to Esports Charts.
Source: Liquipedia