Open Qualifiers will begin in November, giving aspiring VALORANT teams more opportunities to compete in the VCT ecosystem.
Riot Games is expanding the path to professional VALORANT competition in 2027, with Open Qualifiers set to give more teams an opportunity to compete directly in the VCT ecosystem.
The first Open Qualifiers for the 2027 season will begin in November, giving aspiring teams their first chance to start a potential journey toward the international stage and, ultimately, Champions.
More Teams Can Enter the VCT in 2027
Beginning with the 2027 season, VCT Kickoff events in Americas, EMEA, and Pacific will feature 12 teams each.
Those lineups will consist of:
- Eight partnered VCT teams
- Four teams that qualify through Open Qualifiers
This format will create a more direct path for teams outside the partnered system to enter the VCT and compete against established organizations.
Open teams will have opportunities to qualify for Kickoff, Cups, Masters, and Champions throughout the season.
Riot also confirmed that non-partnered teams reaching major VCT stages will receive fixed qualification payments starting in 2027. These payments are designed to provide financial support to teams that earn their place at major events. Non-partnered teams will also remain eligible for applicable prize pool earnings.
Additionally, individual regions may host multiple Open Qualifiers, giving teams more than one opportunity to earn a place in VCT Kickoff.
Teams Should Start Preparing Now
Although registration for the qualifiers has not opened yet, Riot is encouraging aspiring teams to begin preparing ahead of the November start.
Teams should focus on building a competitive roster and making sure their players are prepared for potential international competition.
Players should also ensure they have valid passports and begin making any necessary travel or visa preparations.
Teams will need to follow their respective regional VCT channels for information about registration dates, competition formats, eligibility rules, age restrictions, and MMR requirements.
In most regions, at least three of the five players on a roster will also need to come from that region.
Roster stability will be particularly important. Open and creator-led teams that retain at least three of their five players will be able to maintain their competitive progress throughout the season.
Teams should also begin deciding on their name and branding while ensuring they do not violate existing trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights.
VCT 2027 Open Qualifier Regions
The initial Open Qualifier territories announced for 2027 include:
| VCT Region | Open Qualifier |
|---|---|
| VCT Americas | North America |
| VCT Americas | Latin America North |
| VCT Americas | Latin America South |
| VCT Americas | Brazil |
| VCT EMEA | Europe |
| VCT EMEA | Türkiye |
| VCT EMEA | MENA |
| VCT Pacific | South Korea |
| VCT Pacific | Japan |
| VCT Pacific | Thailand |
| VCT Pacific | Indonesia |
| VCT Pacific | Vietnam |
| VCT Pacific | Southeast Asia |
| VCT Pacific | South Asia |
| VCT Pacific | Oceania |
| VCT CN | China |
The Southeast Asia qualifier will cover the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Further information about registration, eligibility requirements, and competition formats will be announced for each region ahead of the qualifiers.
The Road to Champions Starts in November
Riot is expected to reveal additional details about the 2027 VCT season, including a full-year competitive calendar and more information about the Open Qualifiers.
For aspiring teams, however, the immediate priority is simple: be ready for November.
The 2027 format will create more opportunities for teams outside the partnered VCT system to prove themselves and potentially compete on the biggest stages in VALORANT.
With a clearer route from Open Qualifiers to international competition, the road to Champions could begin for a new generation of teams later this year.
Gamelevate will continue covering the latest VCT 2027 announcements, qualifier updates, and competitive VALORANT news as the new season approaches.
