Skip to content

2027 Format

The VCT 2027 format

In 2027 VCT enters an open era: Partners get a head start, but every place after that has to be earned.

8 Partners + 4 Open Qualifiers

Kickoff has 12 teams: 8 Partners seeded in and 4 teams that survive several Open Qualifier waves → Play-In → Playoffs. The Kickoff top 3 go to Masters Seoul — Partner and open teams have exactly the same shot.

Kickoff · 12Top 3 → Masters Seoul
  1. 1Partner
  2. 2Open Playoffs
  3. 3Open Qualifiers

Partners are no longer untouchable

Partners must keep placing high. If they don't, they drop to the Open Playoffs; lose there and they have to climb back through the Open Qualifiers. For Pacific Cup 1 and Cup 2, Partners are not seeded in either — they earn a berth through their regional competition.

Partnerships run through at least 2028 and renew on a two-year cycle.

Pacific Cup berths

Each Cup has 12 teams: Korea 3, Japan 3, Wild Card 2, Thailand 1, Indonesia 1, Vietnam 1, plus 1 Last Chance Qualifier berth for top non-qualifying teams from Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Roster continuity — keep 3 of 5

Open teams that keep at least 3 of their 5 starters retain their points and qualification status. Drop below 3 of 5 between Open Qualifiers and the team loses its progress and Championship Points.

This progress rule is separate from the eligibility requirement in most regions that at least 3 of 5 players come from that region.

3/5 · Keep
2/5 · Lose

Financial support for open teams

Fixed payments, separate from prize money. An open team that reaches every event could collect up to $1.1M in a season.

Reaching Kickoff or a Cup (per event)

$100,000

Reaching Masters

$200,000

Reaching Champions

$400,000

Kickoff + Cup 1 + Cup 2 + 2× Masters + Champions

$1,100,000

1v1 Skirmish for map & side

In equally seeded matches, each team sends one player from its starting roster into a 1v1 duel before the match. The winner earns priority for map and side selection — replacing a coin toss.

  1. 1Each team sends 1 player
  2. 21v1 gun duel
  3. 3Winner gets map/side priority

2027 Team Capsules

Partner teams keep receiving a share of digital item revenue. The 2027 Team Capsules have not been revealed yet — this page will update when they are.

  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA
  • TBA

Map pool Projected

Current competitive pool (V26 Act 6). The Kickoff 2027 pool will be set after the V27 Act 1 rotation (expected early January 2027).

  • Abyss
  • Bind
  • Corrode
  • Haven
  • Lotus
  • Summit
  • Sunset

Items marked "Projected" have not been officially confirmed by Riot.

Sources