VCT 2027 Explained: How the New Valorant Season Works
The 2027 season at a glance
| Event | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Open Qualifiers | from November 2026 | online, 16 regions |
| Kickoff | January 14 to February 7 | São Paulo, Berlin, Bangkok, Hangzhou |
| Masters Seoul | February 20 to March 3 | Seoul |
| VCT Cup 1 | April 29 to May 23 | Mexico City, Warsaw, Manila, Wuhan |
| Masters València | June 5 to June 20 | València |
| VCT Cup 2 | August 5 to August 29 | Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, Tokyo, Shanghai |
| Champions | September 16 to October 10 | Austin |
The four cities in Kickoff and in each Cup match the four VCT regions: Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China.
Partner teams and open teams
Since 2023, the top level of VCT has been built around partner teams: organizations with a long-term agreement with Riot. That continues in 2027 with a new partnership cycle and eight partners per region.
What changes is the path for everyone else:
- Each Kickoff in Americas, EMEA and Pacific has 12 teams: 8 partners and 4 teams from the Open Qualifiers.
- China has its own structure with partners, visiting teams and open teams.
- Open teams can qualify for Kickoff, Cups, Masters and Champions.
- Non-partner teams receive fixed payments when they qualify: $100,000 for Kickoff or a Cup, $200,000 for Masters and $400,000 for Champions, on top of prize money.
Step by step
1. Open Qualifiers. From November 2026, any eligible team can enter its region's open qualifier. There are 16 qualifier regions, from North America and Brazil to Türkiye, Japan and Oceania. Players must meet rank requirements, and in most regions at least three of the five must be from that region.
2. Kickoff. Twelve teams per region play the first event of the year. The top three from each Kickoff qualify for Masters Seoul.
3. Masters Seoul. The first international event of the season, with the best teams from all four regions.
4. VCT Cup 1 and Cup 2. Regional tournaments in the spring and summer. Their results, together with Masters, decide who reaches the next international events.
5. Masters València. The second international event.
6. Champions. The world championship in Austin closes the season. The Game Changers Championship, the top event of the women's and marginalized genders circuit, is held there too.
Keeping a roster's progress
A team keeps its competitive progress through the season as long as it keeps at least three of its five players. A team that changes most of its roster starts again.
What changed from 2026
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Regional play | long leagues in stages | short tournaments: Kickoff and Cups |
| Path for new teams | separate second-tier circuit | Open Qualifiers straight into Kickoff and Cups |
| Who can reach Champions | mostly partner teams | partner and open teams |
Last season: Champions 2026
LOUD won Valorant Champions 2026 in Shanghai, beating Team Vitality 3-1 in the grand final on October 18. It was LOUD's second Champions title after 2022.
Follow VCT 2027 on R1GG
Every VCT match, from the Open Qualifiers to Champions, appears in the Valorant match schedule and on the tournaments page. To understand the levels of competition, read Valorant Tournament Tiers, and for the basics of the game, Valorant Rules Explained.
FAQ
How does VCT 2027 work?
The season is a chain of tournaments: Open Qualifiers, regional Kickoffs, Masters Seoul, VCT Cup 1, Masters València, VCT Cup 2 and Champions in Austin. Results at each step decide who plays the next one.
When does VCT 2027 start?
Open Qualifiers begin in November 2026. The first big events are the regional Kickoffs, from January 14 to February 7, 2027.
Where is Valorant Champions 2027?
In Austin, Texas, from September 16 to October 10, 2027. The Game Changers Championship is held at the same event.
Can a team without partnership play at Champions?
Yes. In 2027 open teams can qualify for Kickoff, Cups, Masters and Champions. Non-partner teams also receive fixed payments when they qualify.
How many teams play each Kickoff?
Twelve in Americas, EMEA and Pacific: eight partner teams and four teams from the Open Qualifiers. The top three of each Kickoff go to Masters Seoul.
Related guides
Valorant Rules Explained: How a Pro Match WorksHow Valorant works: 5v5, first to 13 rounds, Attackers plant the Spike, Defenders stop it, overtime until a 2-round lead. Economy and agents explained.
Valorant Tournament Tiers: What S, A, B, C and D MeanWhat S to D tiers mean for Valorant tournaments, how they map to VCT events like Masters, Champions, Kickoff and Cups, and which events are tier 1.
Valorant Team Rankings Explained: Riot's GPR, VLR and the R1GG RatingWhy a Valorant team has a different rank on every list. How Riot's Global Power Rankings, VLR.gg and the R1GG rating work, and what decides VCT spots.
Valorant Map Pool: Current Competitive Maps and Recent ChangesThe current Valorant competitive map pool: Abyss, Bind, Corrode, Haven, Lotus, Summit and Sunset. What each map is like, what changed and how it rotates.
Related terms
Partner teamA VCT partner team is an organization with a long-term agreement with Riot that gets a fixed spot in its region.
Open qualifierOpen qualifiers in Valorant are tournaments any eligible team can enter.
Sources
Reviewed by the R1GG team
