Riot officially reveals all VCT 2027 partner teams

Riot Games has officially announced the 32 partner teams for VCT 2027 as a new era of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) begins. Each of the four international leagues — Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China — will have eight partner teams. The official list matches the one we originally reported on.

Partnership will work on two-year renewable cycles, so these teams are set for the 2027-2028 cycle.

All VCT 2027 partner teams

How Riot picked the VCT 2027 partner teams

More than 100 teams from around the world applied to become VCT partners. The process started earlier in 2026, with each team sending Riot a proposal on what it could bring to the VCT and the VALORANT community. Global and regional esports leads then interviewed a smaller group of finalists.

Riot judged the teams on the following criteria:

• Commitment to grow the VALORANT community
• Community resonance across fandom and content
• Business sustainability and responsible operations
• Operational excellence and established infrastructure
• Competitive success and performance development
• Competitive results were an important part of the evaluation.

However, Riot says it put particular emphasis on organizations that can build fandom and community for years to come. Several established organizations missed out, such as NAVI.

What do VCT partner teams get?

VCT partner teams receive annual financial support from Riot, plus extra revenue from in-game digital goods and incentives. In detail, partners get:

• Annual financial support
• A share of in-game digital goods, such as Team & Season Capsules and the Championship bundle
• Incentives tied to how much they help grow VALORANT Esports

Partners still have to earn their spot

Partner teams qualify directly for VCT Kickoff 2027, the first event of the season. After Kickoff, however, they have to compete alongside and against teams coming from the Open Qualifiers.

Results will be the only way to earn a place at Cups, Masters, and Champions. According to Riot, this is the first time partner teams will face this many new challengers throughout the season.

VCT 2027 calendar

Riot also shared the full calendar for the 2027 season. After VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai, the next VALORANT world championship will take place in Austin, Texas, United States.

• Kickoff: January 14 to February 7 (São Paulo, Berlin, Bangkok, and Hangzhou)
• Masters Seoul: February 20 to March 3
• Cup: April 29 to May 23 (Mexico City, Warsaw, Manila, and Wuhan)
• Masters València: June 5 to June 20
• Cup: August 5 to August 29 (Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Shanghai)
• Champions Austin: September 16 to October 10, together with the Game Changers Championship

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 Credit: Riot Games