Kickoff

REGIONAL event (Jan – Feb)

The 2026 VCT season begins with each International League hosting a revamped Kickoff Tournament. The event features a triple-elimination format where three strikes means elimination. Twelve teams will compete, with the top four from Champions 2025 earning a first-round bye. The tournament concludes with three consecutive days of competition, each sending one team to Masters Santiago. Championship Points are awarded based on placement to reward early-season consistency.

Masters Santiago

GLOBAL event (Feb – Mar)

The first global event of the season brings together 12 teams from across the International Leagues. With more international competition than ever, Masters Santiago sets the tone for the year with high-stakes matches and a major opportunity to earn Championship Points. The tournament features the same structure that will be used for all Masters Events in 2026, ensuring consistent competition and storytelling throughout the season.

Stage 1

REGIONAL event (Mar – May)

Stage 1 divides each International League’s 12 teams into two groups of six, competing in a single round-robin of best-of-three matches. Over five weeks, each team plays five matches and earns Championship Points for every win. The top four teams in each group advance to the Stage 1 Playoffs, while the bottom two per group are eliminated. The top three finishers in the Playoffs qualify for Masters London, and additional Championship Points are distributed based on playoff performance.

Masters London

GLOBAL event (Jun)

The second global event of the season welcomes the top three teams from each International League’s Stage 1 Playoffs, 12 teams in total, to face off in another international showdown. Featuring the same format as Masters Santiago, Masters London is a key milestone in the race for Championship Points and a preview of which teams might emerge as favorites for Champions Shanghai.

Stage 2

REGIONAL event (Jun – Sept)

Stage 2 raises the stakes with a redrawn group stage and the introduction of Challenger teams in the playoffs. After each International League team plays five matches, the top two from each group qualify directly for Playoffs, while the bottom four per group compete in Play-Ins against the top four Challenger teams. The Play-Ins use a double-elimination format, with the four surviving teams join the top four International League teams in the Playoffs. The top two teams from the Stage 2 Playoffs and the top two teams in Championship Points qualify for Champions Shanghai.

Champions Shanghai

GLOBAL event (Sept – Oct)

Champions Shanghai is the final and most prestigious event of the year. Sixteen of the best teams from around the world compete for the Champions Trophy and the title of VALORANT World Champion. The field includes qualifiers from Stage 2 and the top Championship Point earners from each league, following the same format as previous years.