RIAT Games has announced a new vision for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), the international tournament for the FPS game " VALORANT ", which will evolve significantly in 2027.
A new vision for the international FPS "VALORANT" tournament "VCT" has been announced!
This announcement is the first update of the FPS "VALORANT" competition scene. The VCT, an international competition, will shift from a league-based structure to a tournament-based model by 2027, and is expected to feature more tense matches throughout the season.
The VCT will also introduce expanded offline events around the world and new opportunities for all teams to compete for " Masters " and " Champions ".
The key items listed in this update are...
- Make every match count
- Open the path to the World Championships
- More live events in more locations
...and three! More exciting and unpredictable matches anda competitive environment that is accessible to teams and players from all over the world.
New partnership program starting in 2027
VCT will open a new two-year partnership program starting in 2027. Teams that become partners will receive a variety of support.
- Base compensation: Partner teams are guaranteed a fixed base payment each year.
- Performance Bonus: Additional rewards are given to teams that perform well in meeting partnership goals.
- Team Capsules: A set of in-game skins through which fans can support their favorite teams
- Direct Seeding: In qualifiers, teams can skip the first round and participate in the second half of the competition, resulting in more stability and exposure opportunities
Applications for the partnership will open on Wednesday, April 8, 2026! Teams that have a proven track record but have not yet participated at this time may apply through their regional Riot Esports contact. For more information on the selection criteria, please visit the official Riat Games website.
Open qualifying rounds for the World Championships! Opportunities expanding to several times a year!
Beginning in 2027, entry to Masters and Champions will change to a system that begins with the Open Qualifiers. This means that all teams will have the chance to participate in the World Championships multiple times per year. The entry routes are set by region and may include the following competitions and programs
- Community tournaments
- Partner events
- Events at universities
- Premier
More details will be announced later this year, so stay tuned to the official Raiatto Games website for more information.
Learn about the distribution of prize money for the VCT! Some examples of revenue sharing
The VALORANT digital content has been a great success thanks to the support of many fans. In the past year alone, a total of $86 million has been distributed to VCT teams from the sales of digital goods, helping to create a competitive environment for the teams to continue their activities.
A system is being developed to provide revenue opportunities for all top-level teams in 2027 and beyond. Each team will receive a participation fee for each competition as they qualify to compete. This amount is designed to roughly double as the size and importance of the competition increases.
In addition, each tournament will have a total annual prize pool of $6 million, and all travel expenses will be paid for teams competing in the world championships. A portion of the proceeds will also be allocated to the "Game Changers" program. More details will be announced later this year, so stay tuned to the official RYAT Games website for more information.
New VCT Cups! Teams that win the Open Qualifiers will compete!
At the heart of the new VCT is the " VCT Cups "! The VCT Cups will be held twice a year in each region for a total of eight offline competitions in which the teams that advance through the open qualifying rounds will be able to compete.
Features of VCT Cups
- Replaces regular season league play
- Weekend finals event to conclude
- Winning team qualifies for "Masters" and "Champions" world tournaments
Kickoffs and Cups will be held in studios and local venues as audience participation events. Over the course of a year, approximately 20 competitions will be held in more than 16 cities! The "Kickoff" will continue to be the season-opening event and open to all teams.
New Competition System and the Future of VCT
Starting with the 2027 VCT, we will move to a system where all teams compete within the same Tier. This will make it easier for new teams to enter the competition and allow more teams to aim directly for the top of the world. The new VCT will change to provide even more value.
- Matches are important from the very first match
- The path to the world championships is speeding up
- More regional events
- More opportunities to compete
Check the official Raiatto Games website for further details on the dates, allocation of slots, and event locations for each region!
Sorry, this article is only available in Japanese and 繁體中文. at the moment.
