Riot Games has unveiled its revised strategy for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) for the upcoming year and beyond, signaling the commencement of an exciting new chapter in the competitive shooter arena.
### Global VCT and Champions Events and Locations
The 2026 global tour will kick off with prominent events taking place in Santiago, London, and Shanghai. Additionally, the pro circuit will feature the «Path to Champions,» bridging the gap between tier one and tier two environments for Challengers teams.
This revamped tour will introduce significant format changes, including the adoption of a triple-elimination system for Kickoff events and broadened Masters competitions, increasing the stakes and competitiveness of the matches.
In 2026, both Latin America and the U.K. will host their inaugural global VCT events. LATAM will welcome Masters 1 in Santiago, Chile, marking Riot’s return to South America since LOCK//IN. Subsequently, Masters 2 will occur in London, England, reestablishing VCT presence in Europe.
The VALORANT Champions event in 2026 is scheduled to take place in Shanghai, which will also see the VCT China circuit exploring five major cities, marking its most extensive road tour to date.
### Challengers Path to Champions
The VCT Ascension will be discontinued, giving rise to a new system that allows Challengers teams to qualify directly for Champions based on their exceptional performances in the Stage 2 Playoffs.
Each international league will send four Challengers teams to compete in the Stage 2 Playoffs. Riot has committed to covering travel costs and providing a financial stipend to the qualified teams. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on tier two organizations, allowing them to concentrate on performance and improve their staffing.
Teams will accumulate points across various stages, with top-performing squads in regional circuits, including VALORANT Premier, gaining the opportunity to qualify for Shanghai. Those who achieve a spot in the Champions will receive substantial rewards, including significant compensation from digital items related to the event.
### New Tournament Format
For all major VCT events in 2026, the existing Swiss and group stages will be replaced by a bracket-style format. Kickoff tournaments will employ a triple-elimination structure, with the top three squads earning slots in Masters Santiago. This alteration will increase the number of matches each team participates in throughout all leagues. The first Masters will host 12 teams, reflecting the format currently utilized at the second Masters.
The concluding weekend of the Stage 2 Playoffs across all regions will feature in-person destination events, inviting live audiences and enhancing the esports community experience.
Moreover, Premier players aspiring to reach VALORANT Champions can do so by attaining rank and winning the Invite Division in Premier or by claiming victory in a local Challenger League Qualifier event. They must then overcome the current team to gain promotion to the local Challenger League and ultimately win their regional Challenger League to secure a position in the «Path to Champs.» Specific regional information will be shared by Riot later this year.
The 2026 VALORANT esports roadmap promises an exhilarating future, with more international venues and improved accessibility for a broader range of opportunities.
