Riot Games has unveiled a new structure for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) from 2027, replacing its current league system with a tournament-driven model featuring open qualification to Masters and Champions.

According to a release, every team in the ecosystem will compete within a single competitive tier from 2027, with open qualifiers acting as the starting point for each season. Riot Games, the publisher behind VALORANT, said the change is designed to create higher-stakes matches from the opening stages of competition while expanding the number of live events held across the calendar.

The new structure will see teams progress from open qualifiers into regional events, including Kickoff tournaments and newly introduced VCT Cups. Those Cups will replace traditional league play and act as LAN competitions used to determine the top teams in each region.

According to the release, the best-performing teams from those events will qualify directly for Masters and Champions, marking the first time any team will be able to reach VALORANT’s biggest international events through an open qualification path.

Riot Games said the updated ecosystem will include more than 20 tournaments each year across over 16 cities worldwide. The publisher added that regional events will take place in multiple locations, including league hubs and roadshow finals, in an effort to bring live VALORANT esports to more markets.

The company also outlined financial support tied to the new format. According to the release, tournaments will offer more than $6m (~£4.7m) in annual prize pools, alongside fully funded travel for global events. Riot Games also stated that it shared more than $86m (~£67.7m) from digital goods with VCT teams in 2025.

Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports at Riot Games, said: “VCT 2027 is about reimagining how teams compete and how fans experience VALORANT esports. By shifting to a tournament-driven system with open access to our biggest events, we’re creating a more dynamic, high-stakes ecosystem where every match matters and every team has a shot at the global stage.”

A major part of the overhaul is the introduction of VCT Cups, which will serve as LAN-based regional tournaments under the new system.

According to the release, the events will feature open qualification pathways, conclude with live finals in new cities and provide direct routes into Masters and Champions. Riot Games said the format is intended to give teams multiple opportunities to qualify for global events across the year, rather than relying on a single run through league play.

The publisher also said non-partnered teams will receive greater support under the new model. That reportedly includes cash incentives tied to qualification, access to regional and global prize pools, travel support and faster payout cycles intended to support operations during the season.

Riot Games introduces new two-year partnership cycle

Alongside the competitive changes, Riot Games also announced a new two-year partnership model beginning in 2027.

According to the release, partner teams will continue to receive annual base payments, performance bonuses and access to Team Capsules, the in-game cosmetic items that allow fans to financially support organisations. Partnered teams will also gain direct seeding into later stages of qualification, giving them additional stability within the ecosystem.

Applications for partnership will be assessed using several criteria, including community growth, fandom resonance, business sustainability, operational strength and competitive performance. More details on regional formats, qualification routes and event locations are expected to be shared ahead of VALORANT Champions.