Riot Video games has outlined the construction for the 2026 season of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), introducing a revamped aggressive format for Stage 1 and Stage 2.
In line with the announcement, groups from each the VCT Worldwide Leagues and the Tier 2 Challengers ecosystem could have an opportunity to qualify for Champions Shanghai, marking a shift in the direction of a extra open and performance-driven system throughout the season. However first, they should get by numerous revamped levels.
Kickoff and VCT Stage 1 Construction
The 2026 calendar will start with an expanded Kickoff match that includes 12 groups per Worldwide League. For the primary time, the occasion will use a triple-elimination format, that means groups will solely be eradicated after three losses.
On the finish of Kickoff, three groups from every league will qualify for Masters Santiago. Qualification might be determined throughout a three-day finale, with one crew incomes a Masters spot per day.
Following Masters Santiago, Stage 1 of the season will see every Worldwide League cut up into two teams of six groups. Every group will play a single round-robin, with the highest 4 groups advancing to the Stage 1 playoffs.
From there, groups will compete for 3 qualification spots at Masters London. The underside two groups in every group might be eradicated from the stage, lacking out on each the playoffs and Masters London.
Stage 2, Play-Ins and Champions Shanghai Qualification
Stage 2 will introduce one other main structural change. Teams might be reshuffled, and after the round-robin section, the highest 4 groups will advance on to the Stage 2 playoffs. The remaining eight groups will enter a play-in match alongside the highest 4 Challengers groups from their respective areas.
Twelve groups will compete within the play-in, with solely 4 advancing to the playoffs. These groups will be part of the 4 straight certified squads to contest Champions qualification.
On the conclusion of the Stage 2 playoffs, the highest two groups will qualify straight for Champions Shanghai. The ultimate two Champions slots might be awarded based mostly on Championship Factors collected throughout the season, rewarding constant efficiency all through 2026.
The up to date format reinforces Riot Video games’ push to attach the tier-one and tier-two ecosystems extra intently, whereas growing aggressive stakes at each stage of the season. With Worldwide League groups and Challengers organisations now sharing a clearer path to the most important VALORANT occasion of the yr, the 2026 VCT season is ready to be one of the vital aggressive so far.
