Major changes are coming to the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) in 2027, Riot Games announced. Next year, the hero shooter game's premier esports league will debut a tournament-based ecosystem, open qualification to global events, a partnership model, and more live events worldwide.
Here are all the updates to VCT 2027 revealed by Riot Games:
- Tournament-First Ecosystem: VCT will use a tournament model with substantial stakes. Open qualifier tournaments will feed regional tournaments, visiting additional locations each year and offering Masters and Champions opportunities.
- Open Qualification to Global Events: Open qualifiers let any team qualify for the Masters and Champions for the first time. Winning teams can advance to the greatest stages and receive prizes and digital products.
- Tournaments will offer over USD 6 million in prize pools and fully funded global event travel.
- Riot Games distributed USD 86 million in digital goods to VCT teams in 2025.
- VCT Cups: Cups are going to replace league play as LAN-based competitions to decide regional champions. The following will occur:
- Provide open qualification pathways
- Finish with live grand finals in new cities
- Teams directly qualify for Masters and Champions
- Expanded Global Footprint: Live esports events will be held in more cities than ever before at VCT 2027, including international league hubs and roadshow finals.
- Over 20 tournaments will be held annually by the VCT in over 16 cities worldwide.
- New Two-Year Partnership Model: A new two-year partnership system with modified selection criteria will start in 2027. Benefits for partner teams include:
- Partner Base Payment - Annual base payments are guaranteed for partner teams.
- Performance Bonus - Partnership teams that achieve goals receive rewards.
- Team Capsules - In-game skins for team support
- Direct Seeding - Direct placement into later qualification rounds increases stability and exposure.
Leo Faria, Valorant Esports global head, stated:
VCT 2027 is about reimagining how teams compete and how fans experience VALORANT esports. By shifting to a tournament-driven system with open access to our biggest events, we're creating a more dynamic, high-stakes ecosystem where every match matters and every team has a shot at the global stage.
VCT 2027 Path, Events, Rewards
All VCT teams will compete in a single tier starting in 2027. This new framework reduces hurdles for rising talent and allows more teams to reach the pinnacle of the esports league.
Per Riot Games, the new VCT in 2027 is expected to deliver the following:
- Higher stakes from the very first match
- Quicker progression to global stages
- More regional-focused events
- Higher competitive opportunity
Every team will begin its journey with open qualifiers, with many opportunities throughout the year. Teams can advance to regional tournaments like Kickoff and the new Cups, LAN events that replace league play and decide territory champions. The top performances will advance to Masters and Champions. This system allows teams to repeat global events, adjust between competitive cycles, and gain season-long momentum.
Non-partnered squads will receive ecosystem support and more chances, according to Riot Games:
- Cash incentives are tied to competition qualification at each stage
- Prize pools from regional and global events (around USD 6 million annually)
- Travel and global event funding
- Faster, more reliable payout cycles for season-long team operations
Top non-partner teams can fight for considerable earnings across numerous events and outperform lower-ranked partner teams, enabling more consistent investment across the ecosystem.
Partner teams will remain important, entering competition later through direct seeding and benefiting from long-term support and financial stability. In 2027, a new two-year partnership cycle will offer basic payments, performance bonuses, and digital products revenue.
Riot Games noted that applications will be assessed using these criteria:
- Commitment to Grow the VALORANT Community
- Community Resonance across Fandom and Content
- Business Sustainability and Responsible Operations
- Operational Excellence and Established Infrastructure
- Competitive Success and Performance Development
Moreover, Riot Games will greatly increase live events worldwide. The VCT will hold around 20 tournaments per year in over 16 cities, including regional Cups, international tournaments, and global events. Each area will hold multiple LAN events this season, providing live Valorant esports closer to fans.
I should also add that Riot Games will reveal more details on regional formats, qualification processes, and event venues in the months preceding Champions. – PinoyTechSaga
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