Debuting a new format and offering three slots for VALORANT Masters Santiago, the year’s first international tournament. The VCT Americas Kickoff 2026 marks the start of the competitive season for Riot Games’ FPS. The competition features 12 teams, including the newcomer Team ENVY.
The tournament introduces a triple-elimination system and offers more berths for the second most important event of the year. For the first time, it will be held in a South American country since VCT LOCK//IN 2023 in São Paulo. Check out everything about VCT Americas Kickoff 2026 here at ExitLag News.
VCT Americas Kickoff 2026 Format
Unlike previous seasons, Riot Games has decided to introduce a new format for the Kickoff, not only in VCT Americas but also in other leagues like EMEA, Pacific, and China. This time, the 12 participating teams enter a triple-elimination format, where a team is eliminated only after losing three matches.
Consequently, teams have three opportunities to secure a spot in Masters Santiago through the upper, middle, and lower brackets. Matches will be played in a Best of 3 (Bo3) format, except for the international qualifying series, which will be Best of 5 (Bo5).
Match Schedule
In the opening matches, newcomer ENVY faces Evil Geniuses, followed by LOUD vs. Cloud9. Below is the full schedule for the start of VCT Americas Kickoff 2026:
Round 1
- Team ENVY vs. Evil Geniuses – Jan 15, 7:00 PM
- LOUD vs. Cloud9 – Jan 15, 10:00 PM
- KRÜ Esports vs. FURIA – Jan 16, 7:00 PM
- 100 Thieves vs. Leviatán – Jan 16, 10:00 PM
Round 2
- NRG vs. LOUD/C9 – Jan 17, 7:00 PM
- MIBR vs. ENVY/EG – Jan 17, 10:00 PM
- SEN vs. KRÜ/FUR – Jan 18, 7:00 PM
- G2 vs. 100T/LEV – Jan 18, 10:00 PM
Participating Teams of the VCT Americas Kickoff and Highlights
North American Teams on VCT Americas Kickoff:
- NRG: The 2025 World Champions are betting on a stable core for a consistent 2026 season. With s0m departing to return to content creation, the organization brought in keiko (formerly of Team Liquid) to bolster the roster.
- Sentinels: Sentinels also brings changes. Keeping only johnqt and N4RRATE, the American org bets on the arrival of Brazilian cortezia (a standout from MIBR last season), alongside new IGL Kyu and Reduxx.
- G2 Esports: After a historic season in the Americas but without international trophies, G2 continues to rely on its core to chase titles in 2026. Without JonahP, the “Samurais” return to babybay for the main roster—a pleasant surprise in 2025 who filled in during leaf’s absence.
- Evil Geniuses: EG has also overhauled its roster for 2026. With only supamen remaining from last season, coach potter will field a nearly new lineup led by C0M (2023 World Champion), alongside youngsters bao and okeanos, and the Brazilian dgzin.
- 100 Thieves: With two returning players and a familiar face, 100T enters 2026 with a strong roster. The team now features Timotino and vora (Ascension Americas runners-up with TSM), coach Nbs (2021 World Champion with Acend), d00mbr0s (2022 Masters Copenhagen winner), and Kaimera.
- Team ENVY: Returning to Tier 1 and participating in the VCT franchises for the first time, ENVY arrives in the Americas somewhat short-handed. The Ascension champions might not have keznit for the opening round due to visa issues. The Chilean was signed alongside Rossy because canezerra and ion2x were ineligible due to the minimum age requirement.
Brazilian Representatives:
- MIBR: With only aspas and Verno remaining and fRoD as coach, MIBR prepared a massive overhaul. With the arrival of zekken (ex-Sentinels), tex, and Mazino, the org enters as a top contender for the first time. The public is especially hyped for the aspas and zekken duo.
- LOUD: Following a year to forget, LOUD made specific changes. The Brazilian squad aims for a fresh start in 2026. Keeping the core of cauanzin, pANcada (now IGL), lukxo, and Virtyy, they added the Colombian Darker and trust in the coaching staff led by Romanilly.
- FURIA: Coming off their worst season in VALORANT history, FURIA brings a new lineup. With artzin (ex-MIBR) as the new IGL, “The Panther” will feature young prospect alym, along with eeiu, nerve, and koalanoob, plus basic as the sixth player. The coaching staff remains shaW and Kamino.
LATAM Representatives on VCT Americas Kickoff:
- KRÜ Esports: Missing VALORANT Champions for the first time ever, KRÜ opted for a major overhaul. They kept only Dantedeu5 but made heavy investments: bringing in Less and Saadhak directly from EMEA, plus mwzera and silentzz, coached by ZONYK. However, they may start the season with an alternative lineup due to visa issues.
- Leviatán: Bringing a strong Brazilian flavor, Leviatán features two prodigies: Sato and spikeziN (ex-2GAME). The team also includes blowz and veteran captain kiNgg, as well as Neon—who will be temporarily replaced by PxS due to visa problems.
