VCT Path to Champions updated for Challenger teams: stipends, regional slots, and eligibility

Riot Games has updated its VCT Path to Champions for 2026, with new avenues of support, regional slot allocation, and eligibility requirements. 

How will these changes be implemented, and what is the potential impact for the Valorant Champions Tour?

Regional Slot Allocation for VCT Path to Champions

VCT’s 2026 circuit includes VCT Masters 1 in Santiago, Chile, Valorant finally coming to the UK for Valorant Masters 2 London, and VCT Champions in Shanghai to end the competitive season. 

In 2026, tier two Challengers teams will have the potential to qualify for VCT Champions. They do not need a VCT slot to do so.  

These are your #VCT 2026 locations.

Masters 1: Santiago, Chile
Masters 2: London, England
Champions: Shanghai, China pic.twitter.com/0fE4BEqou5

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 2, 2025

Each territory – Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China – will see four teams qualify for the Stage 2 Playoffs. These Challengers teams will compete with tier one competition in the Stage 2 Playoffs, with a ticket to VCT Champions on the line. 

Here is how the top four teams will be determined in each region:

Americas

• North America’s Challengers Circuit winners are awarded a Stage 2 slot.
• Brazil’s Challengers Circuit winners are awarded a Stage 2 slot.
• Top teams from the LATAM North and South Circuits will compete for the LATAM slot. 
• The North American 2nd seed, Brazil’s 2nd seed, and the loser of the LATAM finals will compete for the final slot in a Last Chance Qualifier. 

EMEA

• Points and placement from Challengers EMEA will determine the top four seeds. These four teams are awarded a Stage 2 slot.

Pacific

• Japan’s Challengers Circuit winners are awarded a Stage 2 slot. 
• Korea’s Challengers Circuit winners are awarded a Stage 2 slot.
• Southeast Asia’s Challengers Circuit winners are awarded a Stage 2 slot.
• A Last Chance Qualifier between the top team from South Asia, the top team from Oceania, and the 2nd and 3rd seed teams from Southeast Asia will determine the final slot.

China

• Details to be confirmed at a later date. 

Changes to VCT Path to Champions team support in 2026

In 2026, Challenger teams that qualify for Stage 2 Playoffs will receive a USD$75,000 (~GBP£56,300) cash stipend. This is to assist with costs relating to travel, acquiring visas, and attendance for teams. 

VCT explains that this is to ensure the top challenger teams can attend if they qualify, regardless of the organisation’s financial capabilities. 

Additionally, it is clarified that all Challenger teams that qualify for the VCT Path to Champions must be prepared to travel for IRL matches in the 2026 season. This includes the Stage 2 Playoff roadshows. 

Although Riot Games is providing financial support through the stipend, the organisation reiterates that teams are still responsible for securing the necessary documentation and accommodations. 

Roster eligibility requirements for VCT Path to Champions

Riot Games has made several clarifications and changes to roster eligibility requirements for the VCT Path to Champions. 

Academy and Affiliate teams

Academy teams will not be eligible for the VCT Path to Champions. However, they are still eligible to compete in regional Challengers Circuits. In 2026, 

Also, Academy teams will lose their relegation protection. Therefore, if they finish the season at the bottom of their regional Challengers Circuits, they will have to fight for their place in the competition. 

Affiliate teams are eligible for the VCT Path to Champions, and affiliate relationships do not need to be terminated if the team qualifies. 

Roster movement and construction rules

For Affiliate teams, no player transfers will be allowed between the main roster and the affiliate roster during both the Stage 2 Playoffs and the Champions roster lock periods. 

Regional regulations affect roster composition rules. In China, any team that qualifies with a player under the age of 18 may need to make roster adjustments. This is due to Chinese local laws and regulations mandating a minimum age of 18 for competing players. 

In VCT Americas, EMEA, and Pacific, players must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for rosters. 

Gonna see 16 year old demons at internationals next year pic.twitter.com/4LdBTCj6Hh

— VCT Scrims (@VCTScrims) October 21, 2025

However, the minimum age for tier one competition remains at 18. Only Challenger Circuit teams that qualify for Stage 2 can include players aged 16-17. 

Teams are required to form a roster with at least three players from their region, and a maximum of two global players. 

With these new guidelines and processes in place, the fight for VCT Champions 2026 could be fiercer, with tier 2 teams fighting to reach the height of competitive Valorant.