Four Non-Partner Teams Can Reach VCT EMEA 2027 Kickoff

Riot Games has announced qualification routes for four non-partner teams to reach VCT EMEA 2027 Kickoff. Two places will go to European teams, one to a team from Türkiye and one to a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team.

The 12-team Kickoff event will include eight partner teams and four teams from regional qualifiers. Each region will hold two open qualifiers, followed by playoff or final stages that will decide the Kickoff representatives.

In Europe, the first open qualifier will run from November 5 to 8, with the second scheduled for November 12 to 15. Both will use single-elimination brackets with best-of-three matches. The top four teams from each qualifier will advance to a 16-team playoff, where they will join eight invited non-partner teams selected according to their competitive status and results in 2026.

The European playoff will take place from November 26 to December 5 in a modified double-elimination format. Matches will be best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final. The top two teams will qualify for Kickoff.

Türkiye’s first open qualifier is scheduled for November 10 to 13, followed by a second qualifier from November 18 to 21. The top two teams from each event will join four invited teams in an eight-team playoff from November 25 to December 6.

The Turkish playoff will begin with two GSL groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will enter a double-elimination bracket. Matches will be best-of-three until the best-of-five final, which will determine Türkiye’s sole Kickoff representative.

MENA will run separate competitions for the Middle East and North Africa. The first qualifiers in both subregions will take place from November 1 to 3, and the second qualifiers from November 9 to 11. Each qualifier will use a single-elimination best-of-three format.

The winners of the two Middle Eastern qualifiers and the winners of the two North African qualifiers will meet in separate best-of-five deciders on November 20. The two subregion representatives will then play a regional final on December 6. Riot plans to bring the teams to the same location to reduce connection latency for the match.

Registration for the first qualifiers opens October 15, 2026. European and North African teams can register through October 28. Middle Eastern registration also closes on October 28, while Turkish teams can register through November 7. Registration for the second qualifiers will run from November 3 to 15, with dates varying by region.

New teams and established non-partner rosters can enter if they meet Riot’s eligibility rules. Players must be at least 17 years old and have reached Ascendant 1 or higher at registration or during one of the previous three Acts. At least three of the five starting players must reside in the team’s selected region, and that requirement must remain in place throughout qualification.

Teams that reach the qualifier playoffs must retain at least three players from the five-player lineup that earned qualification. Players must provide a valid passport and Riot platform profile for verification. Team names and branding must not infringe existing intellectual property rights.

Riot has not announced the invited European and Turkish playoff teams. Under the 2027 competitive system, non-partner teams that reach major VCT events through the open route will receive fixed financial support: $100,000 for Kickoff or a Cup, $200,000 for Masters and $400,000 for Champions. Prize money and other incentives are separate.

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