Riot Games Reveals Revamped VCT 2026 Stage 1 & Stage 2 Formats
Riot Games has officially unveiled the formats for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026, introducing double elimination playoffs, reshuffled groups, and a groundbreaking Play-Ins bracket that gives top Challengers teams a direct path to VCT playoffs.
This revamp promises high level action across the four International Leagues: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China, each featuring 12 partnered teams.
The announcement, highlighted in a slick video breakdown from VALORANT Esports, shifts fully to bracket formats league wide, ditching Swiss stages for more predictable, elimination-heavy competition.
Stage 1: Group Split to Double-Elim Playoffs
Each league’s 12 teams will be divided into Alpha and Omega groups of six for a single round robin tournament (all matches Best of 3).
- Advancement: Top 4 from each group (8 total) advance to a double elimination playoff bracket.
- Rewards: The top 3 teams qualify for Masters Santiago (first international LAN post-Kickoff).
Bottom 4 teams per group are eliminated early, ramping up the pressure from day one.
Stage 2: Reshuffles, Play-Ins, and Last Chance Drama
Groups reshuffle for another round robin showdown.
- Direct to Playoffs: Top 2 per group (4 teams) bypass Play-Ins.
- Play-Ins Bracket: VCT teams finishing 5th-12th (8 teams) join 4 top Challengers squads in a high-elimination fight for the remaining 4 playoff spots.
- Playoffs: 8 team double elim bracket crowns the league’s best.
This “LCQ style” Play-Ins ensures no VCT team exits without a fight and opens the door for Tier 2 upsets at Champions Shanghai.
Bigger Picture: Kickoff to Champions
The season kicks off with revamped regional Kickoffs (triple-elimination, Jan 15-Feb 15), feeding into Stage 1. Post-Stage 2 comes Masters London, with Champions crowning the world champ in fall.
“Next up, Stage 2 turns up the heat,” teases the official video narration, capturing the escalating intensity.
With Kickoffs imminent Americas Jan 15, EMEA Jan 20, Pacific/CN Jan 22 these formats set the stage for VCT’s most dynamic year yet, blending stability for partners with fresh paths for challengers.
Since: October 29, 2025
