Riot Games unveiled the VCT 2027 schedule on Thursday, October 15, confirming tournaments in 15 cities worldwide. The announcement includes two stops in Brazil, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, along with the host locations for the international events. Seoul, South Korea, will host the first Masters, while the second event will take place in Valencia, Spain. Austin, Texas, will host VALORANT Champions, the game's premier world championship. Beyond the tournament dates, the VCT 2027 schedule signals a major shift in how the competition works. Regional events will no longer be tied to permanent host cities, and non-partner teams will have new paths into top-level competition. According to Riot, the season will feature more than 50 tournaments, including open qualifiers, Kickoff events, Cups, Masters, and Champions. The goal is to place greater emphasis on competitive results while creating more opportunities for organizations seeking a place on the international stage.
What is changing in VCT 2027?
Since 2023, VCT has relied on international leagues based in fixed locations. Starting in 2027, regional competitions will move between different cities, with Cups replacing the previous league stages. The biggest competitive change is the introduction of new qualification paths for teams outside the partnership program. Instead of relying on annual promotion through Ascension, these organizations will be able to compete in qualifiers throughout the season and advance based on their results.
How do Kickoff and Cup qualification spots work?
In the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific regions, each Kickoff will feature 12 teams: eight partnered teams with automatic entry and four teams from open qualifiers. After Kickoff, partnered teams will not automatically qualify for every Cup. They will need to deliver competitive results to remain in contention. China will operate under a different system. Its Kickoff will feature eight partnered teams, two invited teams, and two teams from open qualifiers. Partnered and invited teams in China will also receive direct entry to the first two Cups.
How much can non-partner teams earn?
The revamped circuit also introduces fixed payments tied to qualification. Non-partner teams that qualify for Kickoff or a Cup will receive $100,000 per event. Payments increase to $200,000 per Masters and $400,000 for Champions. By qualifying for all eligible events, a non-partner team could earn up to $1.1 million in fixed payments over the season. These payments depend on qualification and are separate from tournament prize money.
Full VCT 2027 schedule
The announced tournament dates cover all four VCT regions: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. Here is the complete schedule for the major events and their host cities:
| Tournament | Dates | Host cities |
| Kickoff | Jan. 14 to Feb. 7 | São Paulo (Americas), Berlin (EMEA), Bangkok (Pacific), and Hangzhou (China) |
| Masters 1 | Feb. 20 to March 3 | Seoul, South Korea |
| Cup 1 | April 29 to May 23 | Mexico City (Americas), Warsaw (EMEA), Manila (Pacific), and Wuhan (China) |
| Masters 2 | June 5 to 20 | Valencia, Spain |
| Cup 2 | Aug. 5 to 29 | Rio de Janeiro (Americas), Istanbul (EMEA), Tokyo (Pacific), and Shanghai (China) |
| Champions | Sept. 16 to Oct. 10 | Austin, Texas, United States |
Two VCT events will be held in Brazil
Brazilian fans will have two opportunities to attend regional VCT competitions in person. São Paulo will host the Americas Kickoff between January and February, while Rio de Janeiro will host the second Americas Cup in August. Both events are part of Riot's plan to bring regional competition to different cities. Rather than operating from one permanent location, these tournaments will move across their respective regions, giving more fans the chance to watch the action live.
Champions 2027 and Game Changers finals head to Austin
VALORANT Champions 2027 will take place from September 16 to October 10 in Austin, Texas. The tournament will bring the VALORANT World Championship back to the United States and close out the main VCT calendar. Riot also confirmed that the Game Changers Championship final will be integrated into Champions in the same city. However, the announcement does not establish that every match from both competitions will take place within the same dates.
How has the community reacted to the VCT changes?
The expansion of host cities and the introduction of more opportunities for non-partner teams have drawn positive reactions in competitive VALORANT discussions. Some fans have welcomed the chance to attend events in more countries, especially after several seasons of competitions being concentrated in fixed locations. However, questions have also emerged about the advantages retained by partnered organizations and how the new qualification system will work. These reactions suggest a mixed reception rather than unanimous support. While the more open structure has generated excitement, some members of the community remain cautious about its implementation.
VCT 2027 open qualifiers begin in November
Although the first tournaments on the VCT 2027 schedule take place in January, the competitive cycle will begin earlier. Open qualifiers will start in November 2026, giving non-partner teams their first opportunity to secure spots in Kickoff. Additional qualifiers throughout the season will determine the paths to Cups and international events. The first Masters will take place in Seoul from February 20 to March 3, marking the international debut of the revamped competitive format.
