Riot details VCT 2027 partner-team selection

Riot Games selected eight partner teams in each of the four VALORANT Champions Tour regions: the Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China. The organizations will compete in the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

The selection process began in 2026 with proposals from organizations describing what they could contribute to the VCT and the wider VALORANT community. Riot shortlisted candidates and then interviewed the remaining organizations through its global and regional esports teams.

Riot assessed the organizations on five criteria: commitment to growing the VALORANT community; connection with fans and content audiences; business sustainability and responsible operations; operational strength and infrastructure; and competitive results and player development.

The criteria covered more than competitive records. Organizations had to show how they could expand their fanbases, produce regular content, operate sustainably and support players throughout their careers. Competitive performance was considered alongside these factors.

The Americas teams are 100 Thieves, G2 Esports, NRG, Sentinels, KRÜ Esports, Leviatán, LOUD and MIBR. EMEA’s teams are BBL Esports, FUT Esports, FNATIC, Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp, Team Vitality, Team Liquid and Team Heretics.

Pacific will include T1, Gen.G Esports, Crazy Raccoon, ZETA DIVISION, Paper Rex, Rex Regum Qeon, FULL SENSE and GAM Esports. China’s teams are All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, Trace Esports, TYLOO, Weibo Gaming and XLG Esports.

The partner teams will receive annual financial support through guaranteed base payments and performance bonuses. They will have additional revenue opportunities through Team and Season capsules, the Champions bundle and other incentives.

All partner teams will qualify directly for their regional Kickoff events at the start of the 2027 season. Partnership will not guarantee places at every major tournament. The teams will compete with organizations from open qualifiers for spots in regional Cups, Masters and Champions, while entering later rounds of some qualifying events.

Riot described the format as a combination of long-term financial support and open competition. The company said the system would give established organizations more confidence to invest while keeping tournament qualification based on competitive results.

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