The first international trophy of the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour season is up for grabs in Santiago. Twelve of the world’s best teams have qualified through their respective International Leagues to compete for a share of the $1,000,000 USD prize pool and crucial VCT Points.
Tournament Overview
| Category | Information |
| Dates | February 28 to March 15, 2026 |
| Location | Santiago, Chile |
| Teams | 12 (4 Playoff Seeds + 8 Swiss Stage Contenders) |
| Prize Pool | $1,000,000 USD |
| Game Version | Latest Tournament Realm |
Format
Swiss Stage (February 28 to March 4)
- Contenders: 8 teams (the 2nd and 3rd place finishers from each International League).
- Format: 8 team Swiss System.
- Matches: All matches are Best of Three (Bo3).
- Progression: * Top 4 teams proceed to the Playoffs.
- Bottom 4 teams are eliminated.
Playoffs (March 6 to March 15)
- Contenders: 8 teams total.
- 4 winners from each International League (Direct Seeds).
- 4 teams advancing from the Swiss Stage.
- Format: Double Elimination bracket.
- Matches: * Standard matches are Best of Three (Bo3).
- Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final are Best of Five (Bo5).
Special Rule: Skirmish Side Selection
A unique 1v1 “Skirmish” will determine side selection for most matches (excluding Round 1 matches and specific bracket rounds).
- The Duel: Each team submits one player for a 1v1 in game Skirmish.
- Rules: Abilities are disabled; guns only.
- Victory: First player to reach five rounds wins.
- Reward: The winning player’s team chooses to be the starting or second team in the Map Veto process.
Prize Pool & VCT Points
| Place | Prize (USD) | VCT Points | Team |
| 1st | $350,000 | 6 | TBD |
| 2nd | $200,000 | 4 | TBD |
| 3rd | $125,000 | 3 | TBD |
| 4th | $75,000 | 2 | TBD |
| 5th to 6th | $50,000 | 1 | TBD |
| 7th to 8th | $35,000 | 0 | TBD |
| 9th to 10th | $25,000 | 0 | TBD |
| 11th to 12th | $15,000 | 0 | TBD |
Participating Teams
Playoff Seeds (League Champions)
- FURIA (Americas)
- All Gamers (CN)
- BBL Esports (EMEA)
- NS RedForce (Pacific)
Swiss Stage Contenders
- G2 Esports (Americas)
- NRG (Americas)
- EDward Gaming (CN)
- XLG Esports (CN)
- Gentle Mates (EMEA)
- Team Liquid (EMEA)
- Paper Rex (Pacific)
- T1 (Pacific)
English Broadcast Talent
- Host: Goldenboy (Alex Mendez)
- Stage Hosts: Jennlee (Lee Jeong-hyun) & Valinaaa (Nicole Echenique)
- Analysts: aEvilcat (Mimi Wermcrantz), kaquka (Beatriz Alonso), & Sideshow (Josh Wilkinson)
- Commentators:
- Achilios (Seth King)
- Hypoc (Michael Robins)
- Pansy (Lauren Scott)
- Paperthin (Clinton Bader)
- Uber (Mitch Leslie)
- Wyatt (Wyatt River)
- Observers: prius, sapphiRe, Tiie, & Yehty
Livestream
Watch the English livestream on YouTube here.
