© 2026 Riot Games. All Rights Reserved.
© 2026 Riot Games. All Rights Reserved.
The first Main Event of the 2026 Game Changers NA season has arrived, following an electric Swiss Stage that set the tone for the year ahead. Now, the top teams in North America return to the server with qualification points for the Game Changers Championship, a share of the $60,000 prize pool and regional supremacy on the line.
The Verizon VALORANT Game Changers Stage 1 Main Event, which takes place across two springs, from May 29 - 31 and June 3 - 5, features eight teams facing off in a double elimination bracket. After seven rounds of Swiss Stage action, the field is set and every team left standing has earned their place in the Main Event.
Shopify Rebellion Gold enters the Main Event as the number one seed, reaffirming their place as North America’s Game Changers team-to-beat after a flawless 4-0 Swiss Stage run. The 2025 Game Changers Championship runners-up were soon joined by Puppy Thieves and SwimTrek Blue, who each advanced with 4-1 records. Puppy Thieves claimed the second seed after defeating FlyQuest RED in their advancement match, with their only Swiss Stage loss coming against Shopify.
Wadadaa, last year’s NA runner-up, also returns to the Main Event, with FlyQuest RED, SEN Otters, :3 and Ghost Gaming rounding out the top eight. And while Shopify remains the favorite on paper, the Swiss Stage made one thing clear: this bracket is stacked with contenders. From Puppy Thieves’ statement run to :3 rallying back from a 2-3 record to claim one of the final spots, the Stage 1 Main Event has all the ingredients for an anything-can-happen showdown.
STAGE 1 MAIN EVENT TEAMS AND SEEDS
The Main Event will feature a Double Elimination bracket that kicks off the weekend of May 29 and wraps up the following week. All matches are best-of-three (Bo3) until the Lower Bracket Finals and Grand Finals, played as best-of-fives (Bo5).
Friday, May 29:
./ 2PM PT - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals | Shopify Rebellion Gold vs Ghost Gaming | Wadadaa vs FlyQuest RED
./ 5PM PT - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals | Puppy Thieves vs :3 | SwimTrek Blue vs SEN Otters
Saturday, May 30:
./ 2PM PT - Upper Bracket Semifinals Match 1 & Lower Bracket Round 1 Match 1
./ 5PM PT - Upper Bracket Semifinals Match 2 & Lower Bracket Round 1 Match 2
Sunday, May 31:
./ 2PM PT - Lower Bracket Round 2 Match 1
./ 5PM PT - Lower Bracket Round 2 Match 2
Wednesday, June 3:
./ 2PM PT - Upper Bracket Finals
./ 5PM PT - Lower Bracket Semifinals
Thursday, June 4:
./ 2PM PT - Lower Bracket Finals (Bo5)
Friday, June 5:
./ 2PM PT - Grand Finals (Bo5)
Catch the action live on your go-to VALORANT Americas broadcast from May 29 - 31 and June 3 - 5, where many of your favorite on-air personalities will be returning to the mic. Raidiant will also be streaming an Observer-only feed on their Twitch channel during the overlapping match days, May 29 - 30.
Twitch - /valorant_americas
YouTube - @valorant_americas
Twitch - /RaidiantGG (Observer-only feed on May 29 - 30, 2026)
Anyone wishing to host a costream must read and agree to our VCT Costreaming Guidelines listed on the form to gain permission to costream the event. If you can do that, you’re clear to kick off your Watch Party on game day.
./ Sign up to host a Watch Party here. All Watch Parties must comply with the Watch Party Guidelines.
The Stage 1 Main Event is bringing the heat on and off the server. Meet the casters, hosts and analysts set to deliver every clutch, comeback, and Championship-caliber storyline for Game Changers NA.
Join the conversation using #VCTGameChangers to cheer on your favorites and react in real time.
X (formerly Twitter) - @valesportsna & @RaidiantGG
Verizon
Verizon is the official 5G and wireless services provider of the VCT. In addition to top-shelf video content and sponsored broadcast segments, Verizon ups our game through the Verizon Up rewards program, which features discounted in-game digital goods for the community to enjoy.
Red Bull
Red Bull is the official energy drink of VCT, presenting the Red Bull “Clutch Moment” during every match. Red Bull is also helping prepare the next generation of VALORANT pros by hosting community VALORANT tournaments, spotlighting the incredible grassroots talent of the scene.
Secretlab
Secretlab provides VCT pros with the pinnacle of gaming chairs — each designed and engineered using the highest quality materials and manufacturing techniques to ensure absolute comfort and unparalleled support.
Raidiant
Founded by women, for women. Raidiant is an events, broadcast and tournament solutions provider that creates opportunities for women in esports. Raidiant is this year’s tournament organizer and broadcast partner for Verizon VALORANT Game Changers NA.
