Dragon Ranger Gaming returns as temporary VCT China partner for 2027

For the third time, Dragon Ranger Gaming has won Ascension, securing its place as the first temporary partner team in VCT China ahead of the 2027 season. DRG claimed the first of two available spots through the VCT CN Threshold (Ascension) pathway by winning the Week 1 bracket.

The Road to VCT China 2027

Unlike other regions, VCT China will largely retain its previous format for the 2027 season. While other regions will have four teams qualify through Open Qualifiers at each stage, China will feature two teams promoted through Ascension and two teams qualifying through its Open Qualifiers, the CN National Tournament.

Dragon Ranger Gaming faced Nova Esports in the finals to secure their spot in the 2027 season. DRG made quick work of their opponents, sweeping the best-of-five series 3-0. During the victory ceremony, the team placed their logo in a frame alongside a VCT China 2027 jersey, officially marking their qualification for the upcoming season.

Across their four matches, Dragon Ranger Gaming dropped just one map (against FunPlus Phoenix) and won every other series without conceding a map. The current DRG lineup consists of:

• Qu "Life" Donghao
• Luo "Flex1n" Rui
• Lin "SpiritZ1" Ting-yu
• Ilya "vo0kashu" Ushakov
• Shao "Nicc" Yi-chun

Despite losing to DRG in the Week 1 finals, Nova Esports still has a chance to qualify for VCT China 2027 by winning the Week 2 bracket. With no losers' bracket, teams have only one opportunity to secure the final spot.

VCT China Threshold 2026

VCT China is holding its first Ascension tournament to determine two guest partner teams for the 2027 season. A total of 13 teams from the CN National Tournament and VCT China are competing in the promotion tournament.

In 2026, Dragon Ranger Gaming, FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club, and Wolves Esports were relegated from VCT China and will not be partner teams in 2027. As a result, the top eight teams outside VCT China in the 2026 EVO Circuit Points standings qualified for VCT Threshold China 2026.

Only two teams will secure promotion to VCT China 2027, with one spot available in each week of competition. Dragon Ranger Gaming was the first team to qualify, while the second and final spot will be decided during Week 2, which runs from October 27 to November 1.

You can watch all the matches live on the official VCT China Twitch and YouTube channels.

The eight VCT China partner teams had already been previously revealed. VCT China Kickoff is scheduled to take place in Hangzhou from January 14 to February 7, 2027.

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 VCT China/Riot Games