Riot Games has announced a new feature for
VALORANT esports at the 2026 VCT Kickoffs with the introduction of
“Skirmish Side Selection”. This addition will be used
across all four major regions: EMEA, China, Americas, and Pacific, and is designed to add a more entertaining and competitive twist to pre-match procedures. For matches between
teams with the same seed, a one-versus-one duel will take place between a selected player from each side, and the winner will earn their team priority in choosing the map and starting side.
Each team appoints a single player to represent them in the Skirmish. These duels are played at a time set by league officials, with only basic mechanics allowed, meaning no utilities or abilities, and the first player to reach five points wins the Skirmish for their team.
Leo Faria, Global Head of
VALORANT Esports at Riot, confirmed that this format will be tested in all leagues as a fun yet competitive alternative to the traditional coin flip. He also invited community feedback on social media, asking "
Let us know if you like it. Plus, should we have coaches playing as well?."
The Kickoffs will open the 2026 season from 15 January to 15 February with
a brand-new triple-elimination format. The top three teams from each region will qualify for Masters Santiago, set to take place in Chile from 28 February to 15 March.
In addition to the calendar, Riot Games has also confirmed a revamped format for the Kickoffs held across the four major VALORANT regions. Originally designed as a straightforward double‑elimination tournament, the developer is adding an extra layer of complexity with a triple‑elimination structure. Teams that lose in the upper bracket will drop into a middle bracket, and will then fall to the lower bracket if they lose again.
Only a perfect run through the upper bracket will be enough to win this opening stage, as victories do not allow teams to climb back up once they drop; instead, each bracket will produce its own final. The two finalists from the upper bracket and the winner of the middle bracket will claim the available slots for Masters Santiago.
