- Riot revealed the VCT 2026 roadmap with new formats and global events.
- Santiago and London are hosting the Masters, with Shanghai hosting the Champions 2026.
- Both Challengers and Premier players now have a direct path to Valorant Champions 2026.
Riot Games revealed the VCT 2026 roadmap ahead of Champions Finals 2025. Next season will bring the game to a more global audience while laying a path for new players. Here is the full Valorant Champions Tour 2026 roadmap, including the locations and path-to-pro.
Valorant Champions Tour 2026 Roadmap
The VCT 2026 roadmap, revealed right after patch notes 11.07, promises another ambitious season, with expanded formats, more matches, and higher stakes across every stage. While the season will start in the first few months, it will be exciting to see how the pro teams get ready after the big VCT season ending this October.
The VCT 2026 season introduces a triple elimination format for Kickoff tournaments and expands Masters to 12 teams. Stage 2 Playoffs will be hosted as destination events in new cities, while VCT China will launch a unique five-city tour.
The Valorant Champions Tour 2026 will bring global events to three continents, giving fans everywhere more ways to tune in to top-tier entertainment. Especially with some new Valorant agents joining the roster in the next few updates to change the meta of the game. Shanghai will host Champions in 2026, proving itself as one of the loudest and most passionate stages in the game’s history.
VCT 2026 Global Events Locations
China is known for its iconic crowd and passionate esports scene. And that is why it’s getting the crown jewel of the season with Champions Shanghai. Riot is doubling down on the region after the roaring success of past events, especially Masters Shanghai. The three major global stops in 2026 will be:
- Masters Santiago, Chile: LATAM’s first-ever VCT global event
- Masters London, UK: The UK’s international debut
- Champions Shanghai, China: The stage for the next world champion
Challengers and Premier Path to Champions
The VCT 2026 roadmap also revealed plants for all regular and Valorant ranked players to have a go at it. Here is the path to Valorant Champions 2026 for both Challengers and Premier players:
Challenger squads are no longer just chasing Ascension. In 2026, they’re running the “Path to Champions,” where four teams from each International League make it into Stage 2 Playoffs. These playoff runs will lead straight to Champions, with cash stipends to support travel and points rewarding consistency. With this new change, Riot is trying to keep the dream alive for players at the Challenger circuit.
For everyday players, the climb starts in Valorant Premier. Rank up, win your Invite Division, or clutch a Qualifier to enter Challengers. From there, it’s a gauntlet: win your region, secure the Path to Champs, and maybe find yourself walking out under the bright lights of Shanghai. It’s the simplest run from ranked to Champions story Valorant has ever offered.
That is everything you need to know about the Valorant Champions Tour 2026 roadmap. With fresh formats and a stronger path for both pros and up-and-coming players, Riot Games is making sure the VCT isn’t just about the big names but the entire community.
What are your thoughts about the VCT 2026 roadmap? Do you think the season is starting too early? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
