VCT 2027 partner teams: Complete list of all 32 teams

Riot Games has confirmed the VCT 2027 partner teams for the next VALORANT Champions Tour cycle. The lineup features 32 organizations, split evenly across the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China.

The partnership cycle covers 2027 and 2028, with the possibility of renewal. Brazil will retain two representatives, LOUD and MIBR, while FURIA did not make the new lineup.

The VCT 2027 partner teams were announced just days after LOUD secured its second world title. The Brazilian organization defeated Team Vitality 3-1 in the VALORANT Champions 2026 grand final in Shanghai.

While several familiar names are returning, partnership status does not guarantee a spot in every event. Teams will still have to earn their places in regional Cups, Masters, and Champions through competitive results.

Which teams are partnered for VCT 2027?

The new partnership program includes eight organizations from each region. Here is the complete lineup announced for the 2027 and 2028 seasons:

Among the VCT Americas teams, Brazil retains LOUD and MIBR. LOUD enters the new cycle as the reigning two-time world champion, although Riot has not identified that title as the sole reason behind its selection.

The VCT Pacific teams include Japan’s Crazy Raccoon and Vietnam’s GAM Esports, alongside organizations such as Paper Rex and T1. In VCT China, EDward Gaming and Bilibili Gaming are also among the selected partners.

Which organizations missed out on partnerships?

The smaller partnership lineup leaves several established organizations outside the program. In the Americas, FURIA, Cloud9, FlyQuest, and Shopify Rebellion are absent from the new list. Natus Vincere (NAVI) has also lost its partner status in EMEA.

NAVI said it would continue its VALORANT project through NAVI Junior. For these organizations, losing partnership status does not mean they are barred from competing. The new open qualifiers offer a route into VCT events.

That does not mean every organization left out will necessarily keep competing. Their continued involvement will depend on each team’s plans for the 2027 season.

How does the new VCT partnership program work?

Riot Games evaluated five areas when selecting partners: community growth, fan engagement, financial sustainability, operational infrastructure, and competitive results.

Performance in matches was therefore part of the process, but not the only deciding factor. Riot also looked for organizations capable of sustaining their projects and building long-term connections with fans over the two-year cycle.

For the VCT 2027 partner teams, benefits include guaranteed annual payments, opportunities for bonuses, and revenue tied to digital items such as team capsules. Partner organizations also receive direct entry into Kickoff, the event that opens the season.

That support provides greater financial predictability, but it does not guarantee qualification for later events. After Kickoff, partnered and qualifying teams alike must advance based on their results.

What changes in VALORANT’s competitive format?

The biggest VALORANT competitive format changes involve replacing lengthy regular-season stages with a tournament-focused circuit. Open qualifiers, Kickoff, and regional Cups will shape the path to international events.

In the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific, Kickoff will feature 12 teams: eight partners and four that advance through qualifiers. Non-partnered organizations will therefore have opportunities to face established teams and progress through the competition.

Regional Cups will also play a central role, replacing the previous regular-season format and determining spots at Masters and Champions. The system reduces reliance on the old Ascension promotion pathway and creates qualification opportunities throughout the year.

Beyond tournament slots, non-partnered teams may also earn qualification-based payments by reaching key VCT stages. The goal is to reward competitive success without limiting every financial benefit to partner organizations.

When does the VCT 2027 schedule begin?

The VCT 2027 schedule effectively starts before the calendar year does. The first open qualifiers are scheduled for November 2026, while Kickoff launches the main competition in early 2027.

Regional Cups, Masters events, and Champions will then determine how teams progress. Additional qualifiers throughout the year will give organizations outside the partnership program more opportunities to reach major tournaments.

With 32 partners confirmed and broader pathways into competition, VCT is entering a new phase. Institutional support and results in the server will serve different purposes. For the VCT 2027 partner teams, including LOUD and MIBR, partnership is a starting point, not a guarantee of success.

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