Riot Games has officially announced a groundbreaking evolution for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) set to debut in 2027. Shifting away from traditional league play, the new ecosystem prioritizes a tournament-first model designed to increase competitive stakes and provide a direct path to the global stage for teams worldwide.

A New Era: The Tournament-First Ecosystem

Starting in 2027, VALORANT Esports will transition to a unified system where every match carries significant weight. The traditional long-term league format will be replaced by VCT Cups—high-intensity LAN tournaments that determine the top teams in each region.

Key features of the 2027 structure include:

• Open Qualification: For the first time, any aspiring team can qualify for major global events like Masters and Champions through open qualifiers.
• Faster Progression: The new format removes barriers for rising talent, allowing for quicker advancement to international stages.
• Increased Stakes: Every match in the new cycle is designed to feel meaningful, from the first open qualifier to the final trophy lift.

Financial Rewards and Global Expansion

Riot Games is backing this new era with substantial financial support for both partnered and non-partnered teams. The ecosystem will feature:

• Massive Prize Pools: Annual prize money will total over $6M USD.
• Funded Travel: Riot will provide fully funded travel for teams qualifying for global events.
• Expanded Footprint: The VCT will host more than 20 tournaments annually, visiting over 16 different cities across the globe.

Refreshed VCT Partnership Model

A new two-year partnership cycle will also begin in 2027. While open qualifiers allow any team to rise, Partner Teams will continue to serve as pillars of the community, receiving:

• Guaranteed Base Payments: Stability through annual baseline funding.
• Direct Seeding: Placement into later rounds of qualifiers for increased exposure.
• Digital Goods: Continued revenue sharing through in-game Team Capsules and skins.

Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, noted that VCT 2027 is about “reimagining how teams compete and how fans experience VALORANT esports” by creating a more dynamic, high-stakes environment.

 

VCT 2027 Competition Path at a Glance

Stage	Format	Goal
Open Qualifiers	Regional / Online	Path to Kickoff and Cups
Kickoff & VCT Cups	International / LAN	Qualify for Masters/Champions
Masters & Champions	Global / LAN	The pinnacle of VALORANT Esports

As the 2026 season progresses, Riot Games expects to share more specific details regarding regional formats and exact event locations leading up to Champions.