Riot Games Unveils VCT 2027 locations

by Juandi October 16, 2026

A new chapter for the VALORANT Champions Tour set to begin starting the 2027 season.

UNITED STATES – Riot Games has unveiled major changes to the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) for the 2027 season, introducing a tournament-first format featuring more than 50 tournaments, expanded qualification opportunities for aspiring teams, and events across 15 cities worldwide.

The revamped structure will replace extended periods of league play with a tournament-based circuit built around Opens, Kickoff, Cups, Masters, and Champions, marking one of the biggest changes to the VCT ecosystem since the introduction of the partnership system in 2023.

Under the new system, teams outside the existing partnership structure will have more opportunities to qualify for VCT competitions and potentially advance to international events based on their performance.

More Than 50 Tournaments and Expanded Qualification Paths

The 2027 VCT season will feature more than 50 tournaments across regional and international competitions, with Riot Games placing greater emphasis on open qualification and tournament results.

The new competitive structure will consist of Opens, Kickoff, Cups, Masters, and Champions.

Regional Opens will provide opportunities for aspiring teams to compete for local titles and advance toward Cups and international tournaments. Multiple qualification windows throughout the year will also allow teams that fail to qualify on their first attempt to return for another opportunity.

While partnered organizations will remain an important part of the VCT ecosystem, advancement beyond Kickoff will be determined by competitive performance, giving qualifying open teams opportunities to compete directly against established organizations.

VCT 2027 Qualification Begins in November 2026

The road to the 2027 VCT season will begin before the end of 2026, with Kickoff Qualifiers scheduled to start in November.

Aspiring teams will be able to enter through open qualification pathways and compete for spots at their respective Kickoff tournaments.

Throughout the 2027 season, additional Opens will provide further opportunities for teams to qualify for Cups and continue their progression toward international competitions.

Riot Games has also confirmed increased financial support for qualifying open teams, including guaranteed qualification payments. The initiative is intended to provide greater financial incentives for organizations competing outside the existing partnership system.

VCT to Visit 15 Cities Worldwide

Alongside the competitive overhaul, Riot Games has announced plans for its largest global tour to date, with VCT events taking place across 15 cities throughout the 2027 season:

Internationals:

  • Masters 1: Seoul, South Korea (February 20 - March 3)
  • Masters 2: Valencia, Spain (June 5-20)
  • Champions: Austin, Texas, USA (September 16 - October 10)

Pacific:

  • Kickoff: Bangkok, Thailand (January-February)
  • Cup 1: Manila, Philippines (April-May)
  • Cup 2: Tokyo, Japan (August)

CN:

  • Kickoff, Hangzhou, China (January-February)
  • Cup 1: Wuhan, China (April-May)
  • Cup 2: Shanghai, China (August)

Americas:

  • Kickoff: São Paulo (January-February)
  • Cup 1: Mexico City, Mexico (April-May)
  • Cup 2: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (August)

EMEA:

  • Kickoff: Berlin, Germany (January-February)
  • Cup 1: Warsaw, Poland (April-May)
  • Cup 2: Istanbul, Turkey (August)

Game Changers Finals to Take Place at Champions

Another major change for 2027 will see the conclusion of the Game Changers season integrated into VALORANT Champions.

The decision will bring the Game Changers finale to the VCT's biggest event of the year, providing its competitors with greater exposure to the international VALORANT audience.

Riot Games has also announced changes to its esports cosmetics, with the Ghost replacing the Classic in the new VCT esports bundle for 2027.

With open qualification beginning in November 2026, the upcoming season will mark the beginning of a substantially different format for professional VALORANT.

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