VCT 2026 promises a lot of exciting updates and fresh experiences. Here’s a complete overview of the next VALORANT season.
Riot Games has announced significant changes to the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) for 2026. These updates include hosting international competitions on three different continents. There’s also exciting news for the Challengers league, with new opportunities to compete internationally. Finally, Stage 2 Playoffs will have some new features as well.
VALORANT Masters stops in Santiago and London
Latin American fans, get ready! The first international VALORANT event of the year is heading to Santiago, Chile. This marks the first time the South American country will host a VALORANT competition. Plus, this event will include some exciting announcements!
The Masters tournaments are growing! They’ll now feature twelve teams instead of eight, giving more players and organizations the chance to compete. To make this happen, each region will send three teams, which means more matches and even more exciting, high-stakes moments. This expansion will really boost participation.
I’m so excited, because after this, the VCT is heading to London, England for the second Masters event of the year! It’s a huge deal because it’s the first time the UK will be hosting an international VCT event. And then, to finish off the season, we’re going all the way to Shanghai, China for the biggest event of the year – just like Riot Games already told us! I can’t wait!
Challengers Path to Champions 2026
Starting now, Challenger teams can earn a direct spot at Champions by performing well in the Stage 2 Playoffs. Riot Games will help make this possible by covering travel costs and offering financial prizes.
Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, stated that “2026 will focus on creating opportunities for more players and teams globally. We’ve always aimed to make the VCT the most engaging and open esports competition. Through new international events, expanded formats, and a revised path for Challengers to qualify for Champions, we are developing a more inclusive system that supports the rise of the next generation of VALORANT stars.”
The graphic below shows that Challengers teams need to qualify for the VCT League Stage 2 Playoffs first, before they can try to qualify for Champions. There are no automatic spots for teams in the second tier. They must earn their place by competing.
Kickoff and Stage 2 changes
For the Kickoff stage, Riot Games is implementing a Triple Elimination bracket, meaning teams have to lose twice before being eliminated. This stage will take place over three days, and each day will determine one team that qualifies for the Masters Santiago tournament. This new format will make the competition longer overall compared to previous years.
For Stage 2, the last weekend of the four regional Playoffs will be held at exciting new locations within each region. This means more fans and a greater atmosphere – we’re excited! At the same time, teams in VCT China will travel to five different cities throughout the year to compete. VCT 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the franchise!
VCT 2026 roadmap
Here’s the latest plan for VCT 2026. It details all the regional and international tournaments for both the top-level (Tier 1) and second-level (Tier 2) VALORANT competitions.
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2025-10-03 00:41