Here’s everything you need to know about the major changes coming in the 2027 season, including open qualifiers and VCT Cups.
The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is set to undergo a major transformation in 2027, introducing a brand-new ecosystem where every team has the opportunity to qualify for global events. These changes will include online open qualifiers, VCT Cups, an increased number of live events, and more.
VCT 2027: Season structure
In 2027, the VALORANT competitive scene is undergoing a major change. All VCT teams will compete within a unified system, bringing everyone into a single tier of competition. This new structure will break down barriers for emerging talent and create a clearer, more direct path for teams striving to reach the top.
With every team operating in the same ecosystem, each match will carry greater weight than ever before. The regional open qualifiers will be the starting point of every team’s journey. Each organization will have various opportunities throughout the year to qualify for events. The open qualifiers will be held online.
Teams will then advance to the regional tournaments, including Kickoff and the most recent Cups. These LAN events will replace the traditional league play and determine the best teams of each region. The top teams will qualify for the Masters and Champions. The LAN events will also be hosting live finals in different cities. In total, the VCT will host over 20 tournaments across more than 16 cities.
Even non-partnered teams will have the opportunity to compete and thrive within the ecosystem. They’ll be supported through cash incentives tied to qualification and results, along with access to prize pools across both regional and international events.
Additional support includes financial assistance for travel and participation in global competitions, as well as more consistent payout cycles, helping teams better sustain their operations throughout the season. In 2027, new criteria will be applied to the partner teams.
All the regions
All of these changes will apply equally across all regions. The four main regions will remain as we know them today. Each will now be connected to smaller subregions, allowing more teams to compete their way onto the global stage and represent their region. The best will qualify for the Kickoff event and the VCT 2027 Cups.
- Americas
- North America
- Latin America (LATAM)
- Brazil
- EMEA
- European Union
- Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
- Türkiye
- Pacific
- Southeast Asia (SEA)
- Japan
- Korea
- South Asia
- China
Open Qualifiers: An example of this system
Within the Riot Games ecosystem, there’s already a strong example of this model in League of Legends through the EMEA Masters. During the Open Qualifiers, teams were required to earn their place through competition rather than relying on direct invitations.
In this format, after a lot of competition and matches, just three teams will qualify for the Esports World Cup (EWC). As a result, the system emphasizes that performance alone determines progression.
At this stage, we still lack detailed information about the VCT 2027 regional formats, qualification pathways, Cups, and event locations. However, Riot Games did confirm that they will reveal more details in the lead-up to VALORANT Champions 2026.