The 2026 season of the VALORANT Champions Tour introduces a completely new structure for its opening phase, known as the Kickoff stage. This stage serves as the first major step of the competitive circuit, uniting regional teams under a revised set of rules and formats designed to set the tone for the year ahead.
Across all regions, twelve teams will compete for qualification to the year’s first international tournament held in Santiago, Chile. The Kickoff represents more than a seasonal opener—it marks the beginning of a redefined approach to global competition within VALORANT esports.
Tournament format
The 2026 Kickoff stage adopts a triple-elimination format, giving each of the 12 participating teams multiple chances before elimination. The top four teams from Champions 2025 in each regional league begin with a first-round bye, providing an early advantage in the upper bracket.
Competition runs January 15–February 15, with only the top three finishers from each league advancing to the Masters Santiago event.
| Placement | Championship Points |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | 4 Points |
| 2nd Place | 3 Points |
| 3rd Place | 2 Points |
| 4th Place | 1 Point |
Teams must perform consistently through every bracket stage to secure progress, making early wins critical to maintaining momentum toward international qualification.
Kickoff Stage 2026 Schedule
The VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 Kickoff Stage begins with the Americas League on January 15. Competition in the EMEA region follows on January 20, while both the Pacific and China leagues commence on January 22.
Fans can watch every match live through each region’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.
| Region | Start Date |
|---|---|
| Americas | January 15, 2026 |
| EMEA | January 20, 2026 |
| Pacific | January 22, 2026 |
| China | January 22, 2026 |
Previous champions such as G2 Esports, Team Vitality, DRX, and EDward Gaming return to defend their titles in this new season.
