You can expect major changes to the VALORANT Champions Tour in 2027. Riot Games will introduce relegation for partner teams, reshape the Pacific league, and create clearer qualification paths to international events.
You will also see stronger support for open teams as the circuit shifts to a tournament-focused structure. Riot aims to build a more direct and competitive system where every event carries weight and every team has a defined path forward.
Partner and non-partner teams in VCT 2027
You will see a clearer divide between partnered organizations and open teams in 2027, but both paths now depend more heavily on performance. Partner status no longer guarantees smooth progression through the season.
If a partnered roster fails to place highly at a Cup or Masters event, it must fight its way back through the Open Playoffs. New organizations and underperforming open squads begin their journey in the Open Qualifiers.
This structure increases competitive pressure across the board. You can expect stronger incentives for consistent results rather than relying on long-term status.
Kickoff Structure and Access
Kickoff tournaments return with a triple-elimination format, adding more high-stakes matches early in the year. In the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific regions, each Kickoff includes:
- 8 Partner teams
- 4 Open Qualifier teams
- 12 total teams per region
The top three teams from each region advance to Masters. From that point forward, qualification depends strictly on results.
Partner teams still receive a key advantage: direct entry into Kickoff events. However, they do not automatically qualify for every Cup or international event.
In China, the format differs slightly. The regional Kickoff features:
- 8 Partner teams
- 2 Visitor teams
- 2 Open Qualifier teams
This maintains China’s existing visitor structure while aligning with the broader competitive model.
Financial Incentives for Open Teams
You now see guaranteed payouts for non-partner teams that reach major events. These fixed qualification rewards create financial stability for strong open rosters.
| Event Reached | Guaranteed Payout (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kickoff or Cup | $100,000 |
| Masters | $200,000 |
| Champions | $400,000 |
| Game Changers Championship | $100,000 |
These payments apply upon qualification, not final placement. Open teams can build sustainable operations by consistently reaching key stages.
Roster Stability and Competitive Impact
Roster continuity rules also shape the open ecosystem. If your team retains at least three of five players, it keeps its accumulated points.
This policy supports long-term development and gives creator-led or independent teams room to adjust lineups without losing all progress. You gain flexibility while maintaining competitive standing.
For viewers, this format increases unpredictability. A struggling partner team can drop into the Open bracket, where it may face rising squads that earned their place through qualifiers.
At the same time, open teams now receive meaningful opportunities rather than limited appearances. You get a system where both established organizations and emerging teams must continually prove their level.
VCT Pacific rework
You will compete in a redesigned Pacific system built around distinct sub-regions rather than a single consolidated league. Each area operates independently while feeding into international qualification events.
Sub-regions include:
- South Korea
- Japan
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Wild Card (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and the rest of Southeast Asia)
You also gain another pathway through a Last Chance Qualifier, where leading teams from South Asia and Oceania fight for remaining slots in Kickoff tournaments and regional Cups. This structure expands access while keeping advancement tied to performance.
