Cloud9 loses VCT partnership spot for 2027 season

After six years in VALORANT, Cloud9 will no longer be one of the partnered organizations in the 2027 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) season. As part of the changes to the competitive circuit, the North American organization was not selected for the new partnership program. However, Cloud9 has confirmed that it will carry on competing in the VALORANT esports scene.

Cloud9 misses out on partnership for 2027

When VALORANT's competitive scene first emerged, Cloud9 was among the first North American organizations to assemble a team.

In 2022, Riot Games selected the organization as a VCT partner, securing its place in the Americas International League under a four-year agreement. However, Cloud9 struggled to translate its partnership into victories, never winning a regional title. The team has also been absent from international tournaments since 2023.

Four years later, Cloud9 will no longer be a VCT partner team for the 2027 season. The organization announced the news on X, reaffirming its commitment to the VCT and the wider VALORANT ecosystem. Cloud9 also confirmed that tryouts with new players will continue as the team prepares for the upcoming Open Qualifiers.

We are not leaving. With the format changes, 2027 is shaping up to be a thrilling year for VALORANT and we are excited to continue to be a part of it. As you may have seen, over the past few weeks we have been holding open tryouts with 10-man lobbies to build a roster to compete in the open qualifiers. Trials are progressing well and we are evaluating every option.

What’s next for Cloud9’s VALORANT roster?

So far, Cloud9 has not announced any decisions regarding its current roster. The organization confirmed that tryouts are ongoing to determine which players will represent the team ahead of the Open Qualifiers. Given its North American roots, Cloud9 is expected to continue competing in the region despite losing its VCT partnership.

The current Cloud9 roster is:

• Victor "v1c" Truong
• Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro
• Cameron "FireBallOps" Tomaselli
• Francis "OXY" Hoang
• Wyatt "Veer" Blevins (Head Coach)
• Ian "Immi" Harding (Assistant Coach)

On the same day, Jack "Jackk" Foote announced that Cloud9 had granted him permission to explore other opportunities in the market.

Cloud9 has been home to several star players who have played a major role in shaping the VALORANT competitive scene. Players such as Tyson "TenZ" Ngo, Jaccob "yay" Whiteaker, and Jordan "Zellsis" Montemurro have all represented the organization before moving to other teams, where they went on to win regional and international titles.

2027-2028 VCT Partner Teams

Several VCT partner teams have already been confirmed for the 2027 season, while others are still awaiting an official announcement.

In the Americas, most of the selected organizations have been revealed, along with those that did not make the final list. Check the full list here, which will be updated as more information becomes available.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games