Riot recently unveiled the roadmap for the 2025 competitive season, along with the locations for VCT Champions in 2026 and 2027.
Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
VCT Champions Sets Eyes on 2026 and 2027 Locations
Following an initial leak about VCT 2025 and Tier-1 tournament locations, Riot Games announced major updates to their VALORANT competitive league ecosystem.
During a presentation by Anna Donlon, VALORANT Studio Head, and Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, it was revealed that VCT Champions in 2026 will be held in China, while the 2027 edition will take place in the Americas.
This will mark the first time China hosts VCT Champions, building on the success of the Masters event held in Shanghai earlier this year. As for the Americas, this will be the second time, with the 2023 edition being hosted in Los Angeles. The tournament may cover both North and South America, given the game’s popularity in both regions.
Exciting Changes for the 2025 VALORANT Ecosystem
In addition to the location announcements, Faria shared insights on the revamped league structure for the upcoming year. Tier-1 tournaments will have a more spread-out schedule, and Championship points will continue to play a key role. VCT Challengers will now support Academy teams from franchise organizations, while Ascension will undergo a rework to streamline different regions.
Potential New Competitive Circuit for Console
With the recent release of VALORANT on consoles, speculation is rife about a dedicated esports circuit for console players. Donlon and Faria hinted at the possibility of such a circuit. Additionally, work is underway on a mobile version of VALORANT, although a release date has yet to be confirmed.
As the VCT Champions Seoul event narrows down to four teams (EDward Gaming, Leviatán, Team Heretics, and Sentinels), fans are gearing up to witness the crowning of a new champion, concluding the 2024 competitive VALORANT season.
