VALORANT: Riot unveils new formats for 2026 VCT season, Masters in Santiago and London, Champions in Shanghai

Riot Games unveiled the key details of the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour this Thursday, November 2, during the launch of the final weekend of Champions Paris 2025. Originally planned for 2027, many of the competitive changes will be implemented a year earlier, according to the press release, marking an accelerated shift toward a more open and dynamic ecosystem.

For the first time since LOCK//IN São Paulo in 2023, South America will once again host a major international event with Masters Santiago, followed by Masters London, which will mark the first global VALORANT competition ever held in the United Kingdom. The season will conclude in China with Champions Shanghai, where the new world champion will be crowned.

Beyond these international LAN events, Riot also announced that the Stage 2 Playoffs of all four international VCT leagues will now take place as in-person tournaments, giving fans the chance to attend and experience the action live. Meanwhile, the Chinese league will tour five of the country’s major cities throughout the competitive year, from Kickoff to both Stages.

As for formats, the 2026 season will bring fresh competitive systems and new incentives to the Kickoff event, which serves as the season opener. Kickoff will adopt a brand-new triple elimination format and offer a significant reward, expanding the first Masters of the year from 8 to 12 teams. With these changes, Riot aims to deliver a denser, more engaging competitive calendar and capture the attention of VALORANT esports fans right from January 2026.

Starting next year, teams competing in the Challengers leagues will also have a direct path to Champions without needing to be part of the VCT, provided they succeed in their respective Stage 2 Playoffs. Four Challengers teams (one from each international region) will therefore have a chance to qualify for the season’s final event, with the ultimate goal of securing a spot at Worlds.

To support them, Riot confirmed it will cover travel expenses and provide a financial stipend, ensuring these squads can compete on equal footing with established organizations. “2026 is the year we are opening more doors for players and teams around the world,” said Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports at Riot Games.