Riot Games has revealed more details about the VALORANT Champions Tour’s 2027 season, with a major shift toward open competition and events across 15 cities. The plan includes more than 50 tournaments, additional support for qualifying teams, and multiple chances for aspiring players to enter the circuit.
According to Riot’s official announcement, the road to VCT 2027 begins in November 2026. That’s when Kickoff Qualifiers give teams their first opportunity to earn a place in the new season.
In brief:
- VCT 2027 will feature more than 50 tournaments and visit 15 cities throughout the season.
- Open qualification will offer multiple entry points, with performance determining advancement after Kickoff.
- Qualifying open teams will receive more financial support, including guaranteed qualification payments.
- Game Changers will conclude at Champions, while the Ghost replaces the Classic in a new esports bundle.
VCT 2027 Replaces Long League Stretches With Tournaments
Riot is making tournament competition the foundation of the entire VCT season. The structure will include Opens, Kickoff, Cups, Masters, and Champions, replacing long stretches of league play with events where results determine a team’s next step.
The goal is to let teams build their reputation locally, qualify for bigger competitions, and continue progressing as long as they keep winning.
Partner teams will remain part of the ecosystem, but Riot says advancement after Kickoff will depend on performance. Open teams will have opportunities to face established organizations and compete for places at the year’s biggest events.
So, for viewers, that could mean more unfamiliar names making deep runs and more established rosters having to fight to stay ahead.
VCT 2027 Schedule and Host Cities
The announced calendar takes regional competition across multiple locations, with Seoul and Valencia hosting Masters. Austin will host Champions and the Game Changers Championship during the season’s closing window.
| Event | Dates in 2027 | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Kickoffs | January 14 to February 7 | São Paulo, Berlin, Bangkok, Hangzhou |
| Masters Seoul | February 20 to March 3 | Seoul |
| First Regional Cups | April 29 to May 23 | Mexico City, Warsaw, Manila, Wuhan |
| Masters Valencia | June 5 to June 20 | Valencia |
| Second Regional Cups | August 5 to August 29 | Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, Tokyo, Shanghai |
| Champions and Game Changers Championship window | September 16 to October 10 | Austin |
These dates represent the announced event windows.
Open Qualifiers Begin in November 2026
Although the new circuit carries the 2027 name, its first qualifying tournaments begin in November 2026.
These Kickoff Qualifiers will provide the first route into next year’s competition. Additional Opens throughout the season will create further opportunities to qualify for Cups, giving teams multiple chances to put together a successful run.
Regional Opens will also allow teams to compete for local titles before trying to advance toward larger events. A disappointing early result could be followed by another qualifying opportunity later in the season.
Qualifying Open Teams Will Receive Guaranteed Payments
Riot is increasing financial support for open teams that earn their way into the VCT. That includes guaranteed qualification payments, putting money behind teams that successfully progress through the system.
The announcement does not specify payment amounts. However, the commitment gives aspiring rosters another reason to pursue qualification alongside the chance to compete against established organizations.
VCT 2027 Will Travel to 15 Cities
The 2027 season will span 15 cities, which Riot describes as its biggest tour yet.
Taking competition to more locations gives more fans a chance to watch professional VALORANT in person. It also fits the wider focus on regional competition, allowing local supporters to follow emerging teams as they chase opportunities further up the circuit.
Game Changers Finale Joins Champions
Game Changers will conclude at Champions in 2027, bringing its finale in front of the biggest VCT audience of the year.
That gives the competition a prominent place during VALORANT’s season-ending showcase and could help more viewers discover its teams and players.
Riot also confirmed a change to its esports cosmetics as the Ghost will take over from the Classic in a new esports bundle. Pricing, designs, and a release date were not included in the supplied announcement.
Kickoff Qualifiers begin in November, making the coming weeks the time to get a roster ready for the first run at VCT 2027.
