Riot Announces VALORANT Game Changers North America 2026 Roadmap
Riot Games has revealed the VALORANT Game Changers North America 2026 roadmap, a dedicated circuit for women and marginalised genders running from February to September with a $150,000 total prize pool. The season features a Kickoff tournament, two main stages, and five Raidiant Academy events, feeding into the global Game Changers Championship.
Kickoff Tournament
Kicking off the circuit, up to 32 teams battle in the Open Qualifier (February 4-9), with the top eight advancing to the main event a double-elimination bracket concluding February 20 to March 1. Matches are BO3 except BO5 Lower Bracket Finals and Grand Finals. $10,000 prize pool with no Championship Points awarded.
Stage 1: April 15 – June 5
Teams qualify via two Open Qualifiers. Format will be Swiss Stage (16 teams, seven rounds to top eight) followed by double elimination Main Event (BO3s, BO5 LB Final & Grand Final). $65,000 prize pool. Top eight auto qualify for Stage 2 Swiss. Winners earn Game Changers Championship Circuit Points.
2025 top two, Shopify Rebellion Gold and Wadadaa receive direct Swiss invites.
Stage 2: July 3 – September 13
Two Open Qualifiers, Swiss Stage (16 teams), double elimination main event. $65,000 prize pool and Circuit Points for top performers, determining Championship and Last Chance Qualifier spots.
Raidiant Academy Series
Rebranded from Game Changers Academy, these five weekend tournaments offer low stakes development for aspiring talent:
- Series 301: January 2026
- Series 302: TBD 2026
- Series 303: October 2026
- Series 304: November 2026
- Series 305: December 2026
Each with $2,000 prize pool, broadcast on Raidiant Twitch. You can make a registration via Raidiant socials.
Broadcast and Participation
Open Qualifiers and most Main Events stream on Raidiant Twitch (twitch.tv/raidiantgg), the finals on VALORANT Americas Twitch/YouTube.
Since: October 29, 2025
