Riot Games is ditching its franchised league structure in favor of open qualifiers, more than 20 annual tournaments, and prize pools exceeding $6 million
Riot Games just blew up its own competitive Valorant format and rebuilt it from scratch. The Valorant Champions Tour is shifting to an all-tournament model for its 2027 season, scrapping the franchised league system that has defined the circuit since its early days.
The announcement, made on April 8, 2026, through official Valorant Esports channels, represents one of the most significant structural overhauls in esports this year.
What the new VCT actually looks like
The centerpiece of the revamped circuit is a new series called VCT Cups. Eight of these events will replace the regional leagues that previously served as the backbone of competitive Valorant, with two Cups allocated per territory.
These Cups act as qualification pathways to the international tentpole events: Masters and Champions. The key difference from the old system is that entry comes through open qualifiers, meaning any team can theoretically fight its way onto the global stage.
Partner teams, the organizations that previously enjoyed guaranteed slots under the franchise model, will still get direct entry into certain events like the Kickoff. But their continued advantages are now tied to actual performance.
Riot is planning more than 20 tournaments annually, spread across over 16 cities worldwide. Total prize pools for the circuit will exceed $6 million.
For non-partner teams, the financial incentives are structured to reward progression through the system. Qualifying for a Kickoff or Cup event earns a team $100,000. Making it to Masters bumps that to $200,000. And reaching Champions, the pinnacle event, pays $400,000, with travel aid included on top.
Why Riot is reversing course
This restructuring is effectively a return to the VCT’s original DNA. When the circuit launched in 2021, open competition was central to its identity. The franchise layer came later, and while it brought investment and infrastructure, it also created barriers that hindered new talent from breaking into organized competition.
The timing isn’t accidental either. Valorant Champions 2026 is headed to China, a market where Riot clearly wants to build momentum. Launching a more accessible, tournament-heavy format right as the game expands its geographic footprint makes strategic sense.
The unified single-tier system with continuous promotion and relegation means the competitive hierarchy stays fluid. Teams rise and fall based on results, not contractual status.
