Huge Changes Coming to VCT in 2027

Key insights

6 slides

The current structure

The Valorant Champions Tour is moving away from a franchise-based league.

Starting in 2027, the VCT will transition from its current closed franchise-style league to an open tournament system. This change aims to increase accessibility for non-partnered teams.

New competition path

Regional tournaments will replace league play, feeding into international events.

Under the new model, teams will compete in open qualifiers to earn spots in regional tournaments. Top performers from these regional events will advance to international Masters and Champions tournaments.

Competition Flow. Top performers from regional tournaments will advance to international Masters and Champions events, maintaining the existing global competition structure.

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Summary

Riot Games is set to overhaul the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) in 2027, transitioning from a closed franchise-style league to a more open, tournament-based ecosystem. This strategic shift aims to increase accessibility for non-partnered teams while maintaining a structured path for elite competition. Under the new model, teams will compete in open qualifiers to earn spots in regional tournaments, which replace the current league play format. Top performers from these regional events will continue to advance to international Masters and Champions tournaments.

The updated ecosystem introduces significant financial incentives for participants, including performance-based cash rewards, travel support, and consistent payout cycles. The total annual prize pool across regional and global events is projected to exceed $6 million. While the system is becoming more open, Riot will retain a two-year partnership cycle for select organizations. These partners will receive base pay, performance bonuses, and revenue shares from digital in-game items, alongside automatic seeding into later stages of open qualifiers.

This evolution reflects a broader industry trend toward re-evaluating the economic sustainability of franchise models following the collapse of the Overwatch League. By adopting a structure similar to those used in Rainbow Six Siege and Rocket League, the VCT aims to provide more direct revenue opportunities for organizations. Furthermore, the 2027 season will feature an expanded global footprint, with over 20 in-person tournaments scheduled across more than 16 cities, marking a significant increase in live event frequency for the title.