1v1 Duels replace coin tosses: VCT 2026 introduces Skirmish Side Selection

For the 2026 season, Riot Games has scrapped the traditional coin toss system, introducing a new 1v1 Skirmish format to determine map and side selection priority in the VCT. This innovation removes the game of chance at the start of every series, and instead replaces it with a skill-game. The new format will debut at the VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Kickoff, starting January 16, marking a move toward rewarding player skill over luck.

Rules and Format

The Skirmish Side Selection follows a simple yet high-stakes setup. Each team nominates one player to represent them in a first-to-five-rounds duel. And staying true to the Skirmish game mode – no agent abilities are permitted. Only pure mechanical skill and gunplay decide the outcome. League officials will oversee each matchup, ensuring standardized settings and fairness across all leagues.

By stripping away abilities and utility, Riot emphasizes a direct showcase of individual precision. The duel’s winner secures the right to choose between map or side preference, an edge that could shape the outcome of the upcoming match.

This new format isn’t exclusive to one region. Riot confirmed that the Skirmish system applies globally across all four regional leagues, standardizing tiebreaker procedures for equally seeded teams. It transforms what was once a random element into a test of pure skill, aligning with the competitive integrity VCT aims to uphold.

From Warmup Mode to Competitive Stage

The integration builds upon the Skirmish mode introduced during Champions 2025, initially a round-based team deathmatch format ranging from 1v1 to 5v5. What began as a fun, fast-paced warmup tool has now evolved into a core competitive mechanic, marking its first official use in professional tournament operations.

With the VCT Kickoff events starting in less than a week, teams playing the opening matches now have a chance to prepare, instead of leaving their map veto up to luck. Coaches must now identify which player can thrive under pressure in a head-to-head duel that could sway the course of an entire series.

This shift away from randomness underscores Riot’s growing commitment to rewarding skill expression at every level of competition, turning even boring coin-tosses into a competitive spectacle.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games