The VALORANT Champions Tour is about to look fundamentally different. In a leaked conversation regarding the new VCT structure, Leo Faria (Global Head of VALORANT Esports) has detailed a plan that shifts away from long-term leagues and regular seasons in favor of a high-stakes, tournament-centric model.
The dream headline for the future of the sport? “Everything. Is. A. Tournament.”
Here is the breakdown of the massive changes coming to the VCT for 2027 and beyond.
1. Goodbye Regular Season, Hello “Cups”
The most significant change is the total removal of weeks-long regular season play. Riot is replacing the traditional league format with Cups – short, high-stakes competitions where every single match matters.
- High Stakes: No more low-stakes mid-season matches. Every match builds toward a trophy lift.
- Finals Weekends: Each Cup will conclude with a major “Finals Weekend” event, designed to capture the energy of Masters and Champions on a more frequent basis.
- The Goal: To ensure that Kickoff, Masters, and Champions all share a common DNA: they are all tournaments where a single loss can end your journey.
2. Tier 2 is Being Absorbed
In a controversial but bold move, Riot is effectively deleting the distinction of “Tier 2.” Instead, all teams are being brought together into a single competitive tier.
- Open Qualifiers: Every region – Brazil, Japan, Turkey, and beyond – will have its own open qualifiers.
- The “Path to Pro” is Now a Sprint: A random five-stack can theoretically enter a regional qualifier, win, and be at a Cup a few weeks later. If they keep winning, they can move directly to the biggest stages at Masters and Champions within a single season.
- True Meritocracy: If a team is good enough, they move up. There is no longer a year-long wait to prove you belong at the top.
3. Changes for Partner Teams
Partner teams aren’t going anywhere, but their safety net is changing. While Riot will still support partner teams with financial incentives and team capsules, the majority of that support is now performance-linked.
- Fight for Your Spot: Partner teams must fight through qualifiers and Cups just like everyone else.
- Equal Payouts: A non-partner team that performs exceptionally well can earn just as much, if not more, than a partner team.
- Community Focus: Riot will continue to incentivize teams that grow the sport through content and community events, but winning is the primary driver for financial support.
4. VCT is Coming to Your City
With the shift to the “Cup” format, Riot plans to take the VCT on the road more often.
- More Events, More Cities: Because Cups are shorter and more numerous than a league season, Riot can host events in more locations.
- Fan Access: The goal is to bring the VCT closer to the fans globally, rather than being anchored in a single hub city for months at a time.
FAQ: The New VCT Format
When does the new VCT structure start? According to Leo Faria, the goal is to have this new “Everything is a Tournament” structure ready to launch by next year (2027).
Can anyone really qualify for Champions? Yes. Through the new regional open qualifiers, any team that is good enough can win their way into a Cup, then Masters, and eventually Champions.
Are the international leagues (Americas, EMEA, APAC) gone? While the global structure remains, the focus shifts to regional qualifiers (e.g., Japan vs. Japan) to find the best teams for the global Cups.
