How can the Challenger teams reach the VALORANT Path to Champions?

In October 2025, Riot Games revealed the Challenger Path to Champions, a new way for the Tier 2 teams to have a chance to reach the VALORANT Champions tournament. This new door will be opened in 2026 during Stage 2. Riot has finally revealed more information on the topic, so let's dive into it.

For the first time, Challenger teams might be able to feel the adrenaline of playing on the international stage by directly qualifying for Stage 2 Playoffs.

Riot Games will help these teams with financial support to attend the event. Teams will be awarded a $75K cash grant to help cover travel, visas, and other expenses for attending the playoffs. While Riot will provide financial support, teams will be responsible for securing documentation and accommodations to participate.

Remember that the Path to Champions doesn't give direct access to the VALORANT Champions 2026 event. The teams will need to prove themselves in the Stage 2 Playoffs and secure at least fourth place.

In the Americas, the top team from North America and Brazil Challengers will each be given a direct slot. For Latin America, the top teams from LATAM North and LATAM South will need to compete against each other for their spot. The final spot will be determined by a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) featuring the NA second seed, the Brazilian second seed, and the loser of the LATAM finals. In total, the region will have four spots for the Stage 2 Playoffs.

In the EMEA, the Challengers circuit will be running again. Riot will use the points and placements from those tournaments to determine the top four seeds.

In the Pacific region, Riot will give the top Challenger teams from Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea a direct slot into the Path to Champions. The final spot will be decided through an LCQ tournament featuring the top team from South Asia, the top team from Oceania, and the 2nd and 3rd seeds from Southeast Asia.

Riot Games has yet to share the details for the VCT China Challengers tournament. According to them, they will come during the next weeks. Don't worry, we will keep you posted.

Academy teams won't be eligible to participate in the Path to Champions. However, they can still be part of the regional Challenger competitions. The relegation protection for Academy teams will also be removed in 2026.

"If an Academy team finishes at the bottom of their regional Challengers, they will need to fight to protect their spot. This approach will increase competitive meritocracy and create a more equitable competition within the Challengers ecosystem," Riot Games explained.

Affiliate teams can still compete in the tournament. However, Riot will keep the player movement restrictions. Teams cannot transfer players between the main roster and the affiliate roster during Stage 2 Playoffs or the Champions roster lock periods.

Additionally, for the Path to Champions 2026, Riot Games will grant exemptions to Challenger teams through the IL Playoffs. These teams will be able to compete at the IL Playoffs with 16-year-old or above players, and up to two imports from outside of their region. This only applies to the VCT EMEA, Americas, and Pacific. In the VCT China, the minimum age will remain 18 for all players.

Local regulations will take priority. For example, the VALORANT Champions 2026 tournament, to be held in China, will require all players to be at least 18 years old due to the country's rules. Teams that qualify with players under the age of 18 may need to adjust their rosters for the championship.

Premier teams can advance to Challengers through online competition. Be sure to check the Premier gamepod and how it maps to the Challenger leagues. Your team can only be eligible if it meets the residency requirements.

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