VCT 2026: First Masters in LATAM, Challengers Path to Champs, and more

Riot has revealed major updates for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026 season, featuring international events across three continents. The announcement also brings big news for Challengers, including new pathways to the international stage, along with fresh changes coming to the Stage 2 Playoffs.

Latin American fans, your time has come! The first international event of 2026 is headed to Santiago, Chile. For the first time ever, the South American country is receiving a VALORANT event. This edition will also bring some big changes!

The Masters events will expand from eight teams to twelve, increasing participation from players and organizations in the tournaments. Each region will qualify three teams, ensuring more matches and high-pressure moments.

Next, the VCT will head to London, England, for the second Masters event of the year, marking the UK’s debut as an international VCT host. The season will then culminate with the biggest event of the year in Shanghai, China, as previously announced by Riot Games.

For the first time, Challenger teams will have the opportunity to qualify directly for Champions through Stage 2 Playoffs, supported by Riot Games with travel assistance and financial rewards.

Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, guaranteed that “2026 is about opening doors for more players and teams around the world. Our goal has always been to make the VCT the most exciting and accessible competition in esports. With new global events, bigger formats, and a new path for Challengers to reach Champions, we’re building a more open ecosystem that empowers the next generation of VALORANT stars.”

The graphic below illustrates that the Challengers teams must first qualify for their respective VCT League Stage 2 Playoffs before attempting to qualify for the Champions event. There are no direct spots available for Tier 2 teams. They must earn their place through competition.

For the Kickoff stage, Riot is introducing a Triple Elimination format in a high-stakes bracket style. The stage will unfold over three consecutive days, with each day producing one qualifier for the Masters Santiago. This format will also extend the competition’s runtime compared to previous years.

For Stage 2, the final weekend of each of the four regional event Playoffs will be a destination event, bringing the action to new venues within their regions. More fans, more energy, count me in! Meanwhile, in VCT China, teams will embark on an annual road trip, taking the competition to five different cities throughout the year. The VCT 2026 promises to be one of the best years in the franchise!

Here’s the updated VCT 2026 roadmap. It features all regional and international events across both Tier 1 and Tier 2 VALORANT competitions.

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