Sources: Paper Rex have been selected as a VCT Pacific partner team for the 2027-2028 cycle

Paper Rex will be a VCT Pacific Partner Team for the 2027-2028 cycle, continuing their presence in Riot Games’ top-tier VALORANT competition, sources tell Sheep Esports. Over the years, the Singaporean organization has become one of the world’s most recognizable teams, thanks to its star-studded roster and consistent international appearances.

Riot’s evaluation considered several factors, including fan engagement, recent performance, regional results, and long-term commitment. Paper Rex’s track record across the VCT circuit, combined with their strong following and international achievements, makes them a prominent name in the Pacific ecosystem.

Perhaps one of the few missing criteria was investment in Game Changers, which has also strengthened organizations’ partnership applications. Still, Paper Rex’s established competitive presence and community reach remain key parts of their profile, ultimately proving strong enough to earn the organization a spot in the partnership program.

Riot Games is set to reshape the VALORANT Tier 1 circuit in 2027, reducing the number of partner teams from ten to eight in each of the four regions: Pacific, EMEA, Americas, and China. While the circuit will move to an open format, partner teams will retain several key advantages over non-partner organizations.

These benefits include a base payment, revenue from in-game team capsules, and guaranteed qualification for Kickoff, which will run in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 14 to February 7. Partner teams will also skip the opening rounds of the Open Qualifiers for the Cups, the new tournaments replacing the previous Stage format.

The Cups will determine which teams qualify for international competitions. In Pacific, the first edition will be held in Manila, Philippines, from April 29 to May 23, before the circuit moves to Tokyo, Japan, for the second Cup from August 5 to 29. Between these two events, Seoul, South Korea, will host the first Masters of the year from February 20 to May 3.

At this point, Paper Rex have established themselves as a household name in VALORANT, but are also infamous in the competitive scene for their losses in finals. The 2026 season certainly continued this trend and, much to the dismay of fans, delivered even more heartbreaking memories. Despite qualifying for the Grand Finals of both Masters Santiago and Masters London, the squad failed to secure the title on either occasion, finishing second in two of the three international events held this year.

Indeed, ever since the team’s loss in the final to Leviatán at Masters London, Paper Rex have struggled to regain momentum and truly recover. Their Pacific Stage 2 campaign was a disaster, as they finished in 5th-6th place after losing to VARREL. Later, at Champions Shanghai, a glimmer of hope emerged as the team seemed to have found its magic again, only for those same dreams to be swiftly dashed as the tournament progressed. Paper Rex dropped to the lower bracket after losing to eventual winners LOUD, then got knocked out in the most unexpected way possible: a loss to T1.

It was a bitter end to a season that will leave staff members, players, and fans alike with plenty of regrets. This Paper Rex roster will undoubtedly go down as one of VALORANT’s biggest what-ifs. The squad had everything it needed to build a legacy, but ultimately failed to deliver when it mattered most.

Despite this heartbreaking season, Paper Rex remain one of the most influential organizations in VALORANT. Since joining VCT Pacific in 2023, the team has won over fans with its aggressive playstyle and established itself as one of the region’s most recognizable representatives on the international stage. Years of coming close to an international title finally culminated in a historic victory at Masters Toronto 2025, where Paper Rex lifted their first international VCT trophy.

The organization also reached the Champions 2023 Grand Final and has consistently challenged the world’s best teams at international events. Built around some of the Pacific region’s biggest stars, Paper Rex have played a major role in shaping the region’s identity on the global stage. While the 2026 season ended without another international trophy, the team’s newly secured two-year partnership with VCT Pacific guarantees that it will have more opportunities to add to its legacy. After coming so close to greatness on multiple occasions, Paper Rex will now have to find a way to turn that potential into more silverware.