Riot Games has announced its key plans for the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT).

The 2026 season will feature two Masters events and one Champions tournament. Following the conclusion of the Kickoff stages across the four major regions, the first Masters of 2026 will be held in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Masters Santiago marks the first-ever global VCT event in Latin America and the first international tournament in South America since the 2023 LOCK//IN.

The second Masters, featuring top teams from Stage 1, will take place in London, the capital of the UK. While the UK has hosted LoL esports events in the past, this is the first time a VCT international event will be held there, promising a special stage for European esports fans.

The 2026 Champions, the tournament that determines the world champion of VALORANT esports, will be held in Shanghai, China. Shanghai previously hosted a Masters event in 2024.

A new format will be applied in the 2026 season to heighten the tension. The VCT Kickoff, which marks the start of the 2026 season, will introduce a 'Triple Elimination' format for the first time.

The number of teams participating in Masters is also increasing. Previously, 8 teams competed in the first Masters and 12 in the second, but in 2026, the number of teams for the first Masters will be increased to 12. This allows fans to watch more matches and provides international league teams with more opportunities to earn Championship points.

The Stage 2 finals for each international league will be held at new venues. Named 'Destination Events,' this format involves hosting the finals in locations other than where the regular season and playoffs were held. While operational methods vary by international league, the intention is to provide fans with a fresh experience by hosting the finals in unique locations.

Furthermore, for the first time in VCT history, Challengers teams will be provided with a direct path to Champions. Four Challengers teams will earn a spot in Champions through the Stage 2 playoffs of the four VCT international leagues. This establishes a complete pipeline for players to grow from Premier to Challengers, and from international leagues to Champions. Riot Games plans to support these teams with tickets, accommodation, and participation subsidies to help them compete on the world stage, and will introduce a point system based on stage performance to manage their long-term growth.

Leo Faria, Riot Games' Global Head of VALORANT Esports, stated, "2026 will be a year that opens doors for more players and teams around the world. By introducing new global events, expanded formats, and a direct path for Challengers to reach Champions, we are building an open ecosystem to nurture the next generation of VALORANT stars." He added, "Our focus for 2026 and beyond is 'evolution,' and through this evolution, we will usher in a new era for VALORANT esports."