Riot Games has revealed the preliminary schedule and financial support system for the beginning of the VCT 2027 season. The free agency period will open on November 2, while non-partner teams can receive up to $1,100,000 for qualifying for major VCT events throughout the year.
Free agency will begin following the conclusion of VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai, with the first Open Qualifiers also scheduled for November. Regional Kickoff tournaments will follow in January 2027, while the first international Masters event will take place in February.
The revised VCT system will allow open teams to qualify directly for Kickoff, Cups, Masters, and Champions. Partner organizations will receive automatic entry into Kickoff, but their subsequent progress will depend on their results.
Financial Support for Non-Partner Teams
Riot Games will introduce fixed qualification payments for non-partner teams. All amounts are listed in USD and will depend on the stage reached:
- $100,000 for qualifying for Kickoff or each Cup;
- $200,000 for qualifying for each Masters;
- $400,000 for qualifying for Champions.
The maximum amount assumes that a team qualifies for Kickoff, two Cups, two Masters events, and Champions. The payments would total $100,000 for Kickoff, $200,000 for two Cups, $400,000 for two Masters events, and $400,000 for Champions, resulting in $1,100,000.
These payments will be separate from tournament prize money. Non-partner teams will remain eligible to receive their corresponding share of the prize pool at every event for which they qualify.
Riot Games plans to distribute more than $7,000,000 in competitive rewards across the ecosystem. This includes a $1,000,000 incentive allocated to the Game Changers Championship.
Partner organizations will continue to receive stipends and revenue from team capsule sales. They will also have access to uncapped rewards based on the performance of capsules and other in-game bundles.
The complete VCT 2027 calendar will be published at a later date. Riot Games will also separately announce the formats and eligibility requirements for each regional Open Qualifier.
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