VCT Americas 2027 names eight North America playoff invites

Riot Games announced the eight invited teams for the North America Qualifier Playoffs for VCT Americas Kickoff 2027 on Nov. 4. The invitations fill half of the 16-team playoff field, while two open qualifiers will determine the remaining eight teams.

The invited teams are ENVY, Cloud9, Shopify Rebellion Black, QoR Gaming, FlyQuest, Shopify Rebellion Gold, YFP and SAD Esports. Shopify Rebellion received two invitations through its separate Black and Gold rosters.

The first open qualifier will run from Nov. 5 to 8, followed by a second event from Nov. 12 to 15. At least four teams from each qualifier will advance to the 16-team Swiss Stage, scheduled for Nov. 20 to 22. The eight invited teams will join them at that stage.

The invited teams will not qualify directly for VCT Americas Kickoff 2027. Teams must earn two wins in the Swiss Stage to advance to the next round. The top eight teams will enter a double-elimination bracket scheduled for Dec. 1 to 6.

The bracket winner will claim North America’s direct berth at VCT Americas Kickoff 2027 in São Paulo, Brazil. The runner-up will compete in the Americas Last Chance Qualifier on Dec. 17 and 18 against the runners-up from Brazil and Latin America. The winner of that event will take the final Kickoff place.

Both North American finalists will qualify for the Red Bull Home Ground World Final, scheduled for Dec. 10 to 13 in Los Angeles.

Riot’s invitation criteria included former VCT teams without renewed partnerships, leading Challengers teams and leading Game Changers teams. Cloud9, ENVY, FlyQuest and Shopify Rebellion were among the organizations not selected for the 2027-2028 VCT partnership program.

Shopify Rebellion Gold received its invitation after winning Game Changers North America Stage 2 in September. Shopify Rebellion Black competed in Challengers North America.

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Reviewed and fact-checked by Alex Panasenko on November 5.