Riot Games has officially reworked the Valorant esports structure, and the new VCT rules take effect with the 2027 season. The shift is substantial.
The headline change: Riot is dropping its fixed partnership model in favor of open qualifiers. Any roster, whether a top partner or a community pub team, can now earn a place at Masters and Champions by qualifying. International tournament access becomes genuinely fair.
“Every match must matter,” the publisher said. It also noted that LAN events will be added and the map of host locations will widen, with tournaments held in 16+ cities worldwide.
From 2027, a two-year partnership cycle starts. Applications are taken in advance, and selection weighs several factors, from community involvement and organizational stability to raw competitive results. Clubs without a partnership can still collect Champions points and earn payouts across the season.
Next, the VCT Cups. This is a new tournament tier inside the ecosystem. Riot plans more than 20 events per year, all LAN, each granting direct slots at Masters and Champions. Valorant has never had anything like this.
On money: Riot is sharply raising the prize pool, which will top $6 million per year. Travel to international events is also now paid by the publisher, a big relief for regions where tickets and visas are expensive.
Overall, 2027 looks set to be a very competitive year for the Valorant Champions Tour.
