In 2026, the VCT Pacific Kickoff stage will debut a 1v1 Skirmish mode to decide map and side selection priority.
The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific 2026 Kickoff stage will feature a new (one-versus-one) 1v1 Skirmish showdown, where players rely solely on raw aim and gameplay to decide map priority. No abilities. No gimmicks. Just a raw 1v1 between the players of choice. Let’s see how this works out!
VCT Pacific introduces Skirmish for map selection
The Skirmish game mode was announced back in 2025 during the VCT tournament. VCT Pacific is now introducing this format for the Kickoff stage, giving teams priority when selecting maps and sides. The rules are simple: equally seeded VCT matches will use skill-based Skirmishes to decide side selection.
One player from each team will play the 1v1. The league officials will decide the location and time of the Skirmish. The first player to win five rounds will win. No abilities are allowed. The winner will earn the advantage heading into the map selection.
A few hours later, the VCT's official page shared the rules for the 1v1 Skirmish format for side and map selection. This will apply across all regional leagues.
Kickoff Stage: Match schedule
The VCT Pacific Kickoff stage runs from Jan. 22 to Feb. 15. We can assume the Skirmishes will be happening some days earlier. We will keep you updated as soon as the VCT Pacific officials release more information.
The first match will be between Nongshim RedForce and Team Secret, followed by ZETA DIVISION versus FULL SENSE. On the following day, VARREL and Global Esports will face off, while DFM must defeat Gen.G if they want to keep their run alive in the upper bracket.
All the matches will be in a best-of-three (Bo3) format. As always, you can watch all the matches on the VCT Pacific YouTube and Twitch channels. The matches start at 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CET.
In 2025, DRX defeated T1 in the Grand Finals to claim the Kickoff stage title. However, Pacific glory quickly carried into the first international event of the year, as T1 went on to win Masters Bangkok.
Later, at Masters Toronto, the Pacific region claimed another victory with Paper Rex bringing the trophy home. With back-to-back international successes, the question now remains: can the region carry this momentum into 2026? Let’s wait and see.
