VCT Pacific debuts 1v1 Skirmish format to decide map priority

by

Starting in 2026, the VCT Pacific Kickoff will feature a new 1-versus-1 showdown to determine which team gets to choose the map and which side they’ll play on.

The VCT Pacific 2026 season will begin with a unique 1v1 competition. Players will face off head-to-head using only their aiming skills and basic gameplay – no special abilities or tricks allowed. This will determine which team gets to choose the map first. It’s going to be a true test of individual skill!

VCT Pacific introduces Skirmish for map selection

The Skirmish game mode was first revealed in 2025 at the VALORANT Champions event. Now, VCT Pacific is reintroducing it for the Kickoff stage, allowing teams to gain an advantage when choosing maps and which side to play as. Here’s how it works: teams with similar skill levels will compete in Skirmishes, and the winners will get to pick their preferred side.

Each team will send one player to compete in a one-on-one match. League officials will determine when and where the match takes place. The first player to win five rounds will be declared the winner. Players are not allowed to use any special abilities. Winning this match will give the victor an advantage when choosing the map for the next game.

Shortly after, VCT EMEA revealed a new 1v1 competition format for choosing sides and maps, and these same rules will be used in all regional tournaments.

Kickoff Stage: Match schedule

The VCT Pacific Kickoff event will take place between January 22nd and February 15th, 2026. The qualifying Skirmishes will likely happen a few days before that. We’ll share more details as soon as VCT Pacific announces them.

The tournament starts with Nongshim RedForce playing Team Secret, and then ZETA DIVISION will compete against FULL SENSE. The next day, VARREL and Global Esports will battle it out, and DFM needs to win against Gen.G to stay in the winner’s bracket.

All matches will be played in a best-of-three format. You can tune in to the VCT Pacific YouTube and Twitch channels to watch everything. Games begin at 12 a.m. Pacific Time, 3 a.m. Eastern Time, and 9 a.m. Central European Time.

DRX won the first tournament of the year, the Kickoff stage, by defeating T1 in the championship match. But T1 quickly bounced back, winning the Masters Bangkok tournament soon after.

Following their win in Masters Tokyo, the Pacific region continued its success at Masters Toronto, with Paper Rex taking home the championship. After two major international victories, everyone is wondering if this region can keep up the winning streak through 2026. Only time will tell.

Read More

2026-01-14 18:11