VALORANT unveils expanded VCT 2026 events and Challengers path to Champions

VALORANT publisher Riot Games, has revealed major changes to the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT).

The new schedule includes a new VCT Kickoff format, expanded global events and a more open path to VALORANT Champions for Challengers teams.

Next year, VCT will once again feature three international competitions. Following the regional Kickoff events across EMEA, Americas, Pacific and China, qualified teams will head to the first Masters event of the year. It will be followed by VCT Stage 1 and the top teams will battle at the second Masters tournament in June. 

VCT Stage 2 will begin in July, with the season concluding in October with VALORANT Champions crowing the best team of the year. VALORANT Game Changers, the game’s premier circuit for women and other marginalised genders, will celebrate the Championship in November.

According to the official announcement video, every competition in the VCT will feature ‘high-stakes, do-or-die, bracket-style play’. For VCT Kickoff, Riot will introduce a new Triple Elimination format. Kickoff events will run longer and culminate in three back-to-back days, with each day qualifying one team to Masters Santiago.

Masters events will also receive upgrades and expand from eight to 12 participating teams.

In addition, VCT will turn the final weekend of the Stage 2 Playoffs into ‘destination events’, taking place in cities within their region. Meanwhile, VCT China will hold a five-city tour across the country as part of its circuit.

For the first time since franchising, four teams competing in the game’s tier-2 league, VALORANT Challengers, will have the opportunity to directly qualify for Champions through the VCT Stage 2 Playoffs.

‘’2026 is about opening doors for more players and teams around the world. Our goal has always been to make the VCT the most exciting and accessible competition in esports,’’ commented Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, Riot Games, in a press release. 

‘’With new global events, bigger formats, and a new path for Challengers to reach Champions, we’re building a more open ecosystem that empowers the next generation of VALORANT stars.’’

The qualified Challengers teams will also receive travel assistance from Riot and financial rewards. While the announcement video mentions that this new qualification path will ‘replace VCT Ascension’, further details have not been released yet.