Riot Games unveils 2026 VCT Stage 1 and Stage 2 formats

Riot Video games has outlined the construction for the 2026 season of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), introducing a revamped aggressive format for Stage 1 and Stage 2.

In accordance with the announcement, groups from each the VCT Worldwide Leagues and the Tier 2 Challengers ecosystem may have an opportunity to qualify for Champions Shanghai, marking a shift in direction of a extra open and performance-driven system throughout the season. However first, they must get by numerous revamped levels.

The 2026 calendar will start with an expanded Kickoff match that includes 12 groups per Worldwide League. For the primary time, the occasion will use a triple-elimination format, which means groups will solely be eradicated after three losses.

On the finish of Kickoff, three groups from every league will qualify for Masters Santiago. Qualification shall be determined throughout a three-day finale, with one staff incomes a Masters spot per day.

Following Masters Santiago, Stage 1 of the season will see every Worldwide League cut up into two teams of six groups. Every group will play a single round-robin, with the highest 4 groups advancing to the Stage 1 playoffs.

From there, groups will compete for 3 qualification spots at Masters London. The underside two groups in every group shall be eradicated from the stage, lacking out on each the playoffs and Masters London.

Stage 2 will introduce one other main structural change. Teams shall be reshuffled, and after the round-robin section, the highest 4 groups will advance on to the Stage 2 playoffs. The remaining eight groups will enter a play-in match alongside the highest 4 Challengers groups from their respective areas.

Twelve groups will compete within the play-in, with solely 4 advancing to the playoffs. These groups will be part of the 4 immediately certified squads to contest Champions qualification.

On the conclusion of the Stage 2 playoffs, the highest two groups will qualify immediately for Champions Shanghai. The ultimate two Champions slots shall be awarded based mostly on Championship Factors amassed throughout the season, rewarding constant efficiency all through 2026.

The up to date format reinforces Riot Video games’ push to attach the tier-one and tier-two ecosystems extra carefully, whereas growing aggressive stakes at each stage of the season. With Worldwide League groups and Challengers organisations now sharing a clearer path to the most important VALORANT occasion of the 12 months, the 2026 VCT season is ready to be some of the aggressive to this point.