Riot Games has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) operational structure for 2027. This initiative focuses on strengthening the sustainability of the Valorant esports ecosystem, opening doors for teams worldwide to reach the global stage, and maximizing touchpoints with fans.

The core of this restructuring is a shift from the current league-centric model to a tournament-based format. Starting in 2027, qualification for all international events, including Masters and Champions, will be determined through 'open qualifiers.' This provides a direct path for teams across the globe to challenge themselves on the biggest stage, with open qualifiers held online in each region. Notably, the Pacific region will host open qualifiers across Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. This change aims to remove barriers associated with lower leagues by unifying them into a single tier, offering teams multiple opportunities to compete in international events throughout the season and creating an environment where talented teams can emerge at any time.

The existing regular season will be replaced by newly introduced 'Cups.' These Cups are linked to the open qualifiers and are scheduled to be held offline twice a year per region, totaling eight events globally. They will serve as a gateway to determine the top teams in each region and grant direct qualification to Masters and Champions. The season-opening 'Kickoff' event will also be open to all teams, with qualifiers scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the Champions event in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Riot Games plans to expand fan engagement by hosting over 20 tournaments in more than 16 cities worldwide annually, utilizing Kickoffs, Cups, and international roadshows.

The economic support system for all teams participating in the VCT will also be significantly strengthened. The main objective is to enhance the fairness of revenue distribution based on team performance. Additional prize money will be awarded whenever teams pass open qualifiers to advance to Cups or qualify for international events like Masters and Champions, with the prize pool increasing approximately twofold as the tournament tier rises. With a total annual prize pool exceeding 6 million USD (approximately 8.8 billion KRW), the Valorant esports ecosystem is designed to foster a virtuous cycle centered on skill and achievement.

Furthermore, a new two-year partnership cycle will begin in 2027, with applications currently being accepted. Partner teams will be provided with stable exposure and competitiveness, including a base stipend, performance bonuses, and 'direct seed placement' that allows them to join the competition from the later rounds of open qualifiers. Revenue from team capsule sales will continue to be shared as before. In 2025, Riot Games distributed over 86 million USD (approximately 127.4 billion KRW) in digital content revenue to VCT teams.

Leo Faria, Global Head of Valorant Esports, stated, "VCT 2027 reimagines how teams compete and how fans experience Valorant esports," adding, "This overhaul will create a more dynamic and intense esports ecosystem."