Riot Announces First VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers for November
Riot Games has announced the inaugural Open Qualifiers for the 2027 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), launching in November. The qualifiers represent a significant shift in VCT’s competitive structure, establishing open pathways for teams to compete alongside traditional franchise partnerships.
The November Open Qualifiers will directly determine team rosters for the 2027 Kickoff tournaments across VCT’s primary regions. In the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific, each Kickoff tournament will feature 12 teams: eight franchise partners and four teams advancing through the Open Qualifiers. This structure balances competitive accessibility with franchise stability, providing grassroots teams genuine pathways to elite competition.
Successful qualifiers will unlock progression beyond Kickoff, with open teams eligible to compete in subsequent Cups, Masters events, and ultimately the World Championship at Valorant Champions. This expanded pathway reflects Riot’s commitment to maintaining competitive integrity while increasing accessibility for aspiring professional organizations.
The restructuring moves VCT 2027 away from exclusive franchise models, allowing new teams to enter professional Valorant without requiring franchise investment. Details for the Chinese region (VCT CN) will be announced separately at a later date.