The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) is Riot's official pro circuit. Teams from four regions fight through a season to reach the world final. Facts below were checked on October 9, 2026, and dates can change.
Key takeaways
- Main events: Kickoff, Masters and Champions.
- Champions Shanghai 2026 runs September 24 to October 18.
- VCT 2027 starts with Open Qualifiers in November 2026.
How the season works
The VCT has regional leagues in the Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China. The year starts with a Kickoff, then international Masters events, then Champions at the end. In 2026 the Masters stops were Santiago (Chile, February 28 to March 15) and London (June 6 to 21).
Champions Shanghai 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 24 to October 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai |
| Teams | 16 (four per region) |
| Format | Group stage, then an 8-team double-elimination playoff |
| Prize pool | $2.25 million, $1 million to first place (per esports.gg) |
Eight teams reached the playoffs: NRG, 100 Thieves, G2 and LOUD from the Americas, Paper Rex, T1 and Nongshim RedForce from Pacific, and Team Vitality from EMEA. The grand final is scheduled for October 18. We do not list results because they change daily.
VCT 2027: what is known
- Free agency opens November 2, 2026.
- Open Qualifiers begin in November across 16 regions.
- Kickoff is planned for January 2027, with 12 teams per region (eight partnered, four from open play). The first Masters is planned for February 2027.
- Locations and exact dates for Masters and Champions 2027 are not announced.
Where to watch
Riot streams VCT on its official channels. Use /tournaments for the schedule and live streams, or /live for creators playing right now. Co-streams by creators also exist.
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