NODWIN Gaming has announced the broadcast kickoff for VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, with registrations for Split one set to close on March 4th.

According to a release, the tournament organiser is partnering with Riot Games to deliver the 2026 edition of the regional VALORANT circuit, which serves as the official pathway for South Asian teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

The broadcast for Split one will begin on March 16th and will air live on NODWIN Gaming’s and VALORANT Esports South Asia’s YouTube channels.

Open qualifiers for the competition are scheduled to take place from March 7th to March 11th, shortly after registrations close.

Immortal one and above eligible for Split one

VCSA 2026 is open to players ranked Immortal one and above in V25 Act six. Eligible regions include India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives.

Premier team seeding will be based on V25 Acts four, five and six, with the format designed to combine open qualification with direct invitations.

The top three teams from VCSA 2025 will receive direct invites to Split one. Meanwhile, the open qualifier stage will follow a single-elimination, best-of-three format, with the top ten teams advancing to the OQ playoffs.

The OQ playoffs will adopt a double-elimination bracket, also played in best-of-three series. The top five teams from this stage will join the three invited rosters, forming an eight-team Split one lineup.

Split one itself will use a single round robin format across 28 matches and 14 match days. The top six teams will advance to Split two, while the bottom two will move to promotion and relegation.

Split two and Game Changers pathway

Split two will again feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four sides will progress to a single-elimination playoff bracket, culminating in a best-of-five Grand Final to determine the 2026 VCSA champion.

Alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will run two competitive splits with open qualifiers. The winner of Split two will qualify for the Game Changers Pacific stage, extending the pathway for women and marginalised genders in the region’s VALORANT ecosystem.

Building on a record-breaking 2025 season

The 2026 season follows a landmark year for the competition. In 2025, Velocity Gaming secured a VCT Ascension Pacific slot after defeating S8UL three to one in the Grand Final of the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.

According to the release, the 2025 edition generated over 12m views and recorded a peak of more than 50,000 concurrent viewers, positioning VCSA among the most-watched VALORANT tournaments in South Asia.

Gautam Virk, Co-founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming, commented on the upcoming season: “As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance.

“After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard.”

Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia at Riot Games, added: “Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special.

“With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier two to Tier one already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”

With the broadcast phase approaching and registrations closing imminently, VCSA 2026 marks the latest step in Riot Games’ multi-tier competitive structure, which links domestic Challengers circuits to international VCT competition.

Teams across South Asia now have a limited window to secure their place in Split one as the road to the 2026 title officially begins.