VCT 2026 format changes: New-look Kickoff, Challengers to Champions, Roadshows, and more

The VCT 2025 season has yet to come to a close, and the 2026 season has already introduced several changes that will significantly impact the way viewers watch competitive VALORANT.

In the new year, viewers can expect to see numerous exciting changes, including more Roadshows, expanded Tier 1 and Tier 2 crossplay, as well as new locations for the three international events in 2026. As VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions comes to an end, here is everything you need to know about the new format changes coming to VCT 2026.

VCT KICKOFF to feature a triple-elimination format

The first change to the VCT format includes a modification to Kickoff events across all regions, where teams will now have three lives in the tournament before being eliminated.

The Kickoff tournament has been the one to receive the most changes ever since it was first introduced at the start of 2024. Its first iteration included a system with 11 Tier 1 teams, divided into two groups of four and one group of three. 2025 then saw the tournament make changes once more when they introduced a double-elimination bracket.

Now, teams will compete in a triple-elimination format. According to Global Head of VALORANT Esports Leo Faria, teams will compete in “three back-to-back days where each day will qualify a team for VALORANT Masters Santiago.”

First VALORANT Masters increased to 12 teams

VALORANT Masters Santiago will feature a roster of 12 teams competing at the inaugural Masters event of 2026, up from the previous eight teams.

Traditionally, the first VALORANT Masters of the year has hosted only eight teams at the tournament, with the top two teams from each VCT region qualifying. Now, the top three teams from each region will qualify for Masters Santiago, providing teams even more opportunities to earn Championship Points for Champions Shanghai.

This new switch to feature 12 teams also works in tandem with the new VCT Kickoff format, where each block of days will qualify one team to Masters Santiago.

Challengers teams can make VALORANT Champions now

The biggest change to the competitive VALORANT circuit comes in the form of Challengers teams having the chance to qualify for VALORANT Champions Shanghai. Tier 2 teams were unable to qualify for international events in previous years and needed to win Ascension in order to have a shot at international events the following season.

Now, the top Challengers teams will earn a spot at their respective region's VCT Stage 2 Playoffs, where they will have the opportunity to qualify for VALORANT Champions Shanghai. While their spot at Champions is not guaranteed, they will at least have an immediate opportunity to prove whether their dominance in Challengers can be replicated against the best in the region.

Stage 2 Playoffs All Hosting Roadshows

Similarly to the competitive League of Legends format, each VALORANT league will now feature a roadshow to close out their region’s Stage 2 playoffs. While the Pacific region saw the final teams travel to Tokyo, Japan, other regions continued to play the Grand Final in their respective studios. Now, there will be more cities for the best teams in their region to play in.

Additionally, VCT China will take an even more ambitious approach to this new format, featuring roadshows throughout its entire season.

For now, VALORANT fans should be sure to tune into Champions Paris as the final four teams vie for the championship trophy. The final weekend of VALORANT Champions Paris will take place from October 3 to 5, 2025.