© 2026 Riot Games. All Rights Reserved.
© 2026 Riot Games. All Rights Reserved.
The Verizon VALORANT Game Changers NA season will be back in action in early 2026 and we’re excited to share the season schedule and format details. After tons of positive community feedback in 2025 about the expanded Game Changers NA schedule, it made perfect sense to run it back for the 2026 season.
With over sixty days of competition, multiple open qualifier opportunities, a swiss stage that spans a few weeks for ample qualification opportunities and two high stakes main events, 2026 promises to be an opportunity-rich season, built on last year’s momentum.
The season starts with a kickoff tournament to get the wheels turning and the kinks sorted out, followed by two open qualifiers, into a swiss stage and main event. More chances to qualify open up later in the year, with two more open qualifiers, a swiss stage and the final main event.
Under the banner of Raidiant Academy, named after our tournament operator, the women-led group charged with supporting Game Changers NA for the past two years, up and coming players will have a chance to compete for lower stakes prize pools over five individual weekend tournaments.
The 2026 season will feature a total prize pool of $150,000, distributed across multiple marquee events throughout the year. Each stage’s Main Event will also award Game Changers Championship Circuit Points, which will determine North America’s representative and Last Chance Qualifier participant at the end of the season.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
February - March 2026:
KICKOFF TOURNAMENT
Open Qualifier: February 4 - 5, 8 - 9
Main Event: February 20 - 22, February 27 - March 1
March - June 2026:
STAGE 1 - Open Qualifier (32 Teams per Qualifier):
Open Qualifier #1: March 17 - 18, 20 - 21
Open Qualifier #2: March 31 - April 1, April 3 - 4
STAGE 1 - Swiss Stage (16 Teams):
Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) weeks: April 15, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 18, May 20
STAGE 1 - Main Event (8 Teams):
Eight (8) team Double Elimination bracket: May 29 - 31, June 3 - 5
June - September 2026:
STAGE 2 - Open Qualifier (32 Teams per Qualifier):
Open Qualifier #3: June 16 - 17, 19 - 20
Open Qualifier #4: June 30 - July 3
STAGE 2 - Swiss Stage (16 Teams):
Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) weeks: July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24
STAGE 2 - Main Event (8 Teams):
Eight (8) team Double Elimination bracket: September 8 - 13
Year-Long:
Raidiant Academy
Series 301 - January 2026
Series 302 - TBD 2026
Series 303 - October 2026
Series 304 - November 2026
Series 305 - December 2026
KICKOFF TOURNAMENT - DETAILS
Building on the success of its inaugural year, the Game Changers NA Kickoff Tournament returns for its second year as a way to balance minimal downtime between seasons while still giving teams space to finalize their rosters. Up to thirty-two (32) teams will have the opportunity to compete in a one-off, $10,000 tournament. The Kickoff Tournament will not award Game Changers Championship Circuit Points, instead serving as a low-pressure environment for teams to trial players, gain live tournament experience, and prepare for the start of the 2026 season.
Prize Pool: $10,000
Format:
GSL Group Stage (32 Teams) - Day 1 & Day 2
Eight (8) groups, with four (4) teams per group
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Qualifying Stage - Double Elimination Bracket (16 Teams) - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top eight (8) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Main Event
Main Event (8 Teams) - Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9 & Day 10
Eight (8) team Double Elimination Bracket
Best-of-Three (Bo3) until Lower Bracket Finals, then (Bo5) for Lower Bracket Finals & Grand Finals
Broadcast:
GSL Group Stage: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Qualifying Stage & Main Event (Day 5 - 8): Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Main Event (Day 9 - 10): Twitch @ /valorant_americas & YouTube @valorant_americas
STAGE 1 & STAGE 2 - DETAILS
The regular season will run in two identical stages, both with their own $65,000 prize pool and both with Game Changers Championship points. Stage 1 kicks off in February and runs through May. The top two (2) teams from Game Changers NA 2025, Shopify Rebellion (1 seed) and Wadadaa (2 seed) will receive direct invites to Swiss Stage 1.
Teams have their opportunity to earn a place in Stage 1 through two Open Qualifiers, where up to thirty-two (32) teams can enter per Qualifier. Each Qualifier lasts four days. The top six (6) teams from Open Qualifier 1 will advance to the Swiss Stage. The top eight (8) teams from Open Qualifier 2 will advance to the Swiss Stage.
The Swiss Stage operates over five (5) to six (6) weeks, with seven (7) match nights. During the Swiss Stage, we’ll offer an “Observer-Only” broadcast where Co-Streamers are welcomed to leverage the clean feed for their own channels, and a “Match of the Week” broadcast with casters. From the Swiss Stage, teams compete for one of eight (8) spots in the Main Event.
The stage will wrap with a Main Event that mirrors the established format and broadcast experience of previous Main Events, complete with a full talent desk, elevated production, player content, and broadcast across the VALORANT Americas channels.
Top placing teams will earn a share of the $65,000 prize pool and coveted Game Changers Championship Circuit Points, which is what is needed to compete on the international stage at the end of the year.
In an effort to ensure high performing teams are rewarded for their consistency, the top eight (8) teams from the Stage 1 will auto qualify for Stage 2 Swiss, thus being able to skip Open Qualifier #3 / #4. The top four (4) teams from Open Qualifier #3 / #4 will advance to Swiss Stage 2.
Prize Pool: $65,000 per Stage & Game Changers Championship Circuit Points
Format - Stage 1 - Open Qualifier:
Open Qualifier #1 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket (16 Teams) - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top six (6) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage
Open Qualifier #2 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top eight (8) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage, thus concluding the Swiss Stage qualification process
Format - Stage 2 - Open Qualifier:
Open Qualifier #3 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket (16 Teams) - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top four (4) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage
Open Qualifier #4 (32 Teams) - Four (4) Days
GSL Group Stage - Day 1 & Day 2
Top two (2) from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs - Double Elimination Bracket - Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4
Top four (4) teams from the Double Elimination Bracket will advance to the Stage 1 Swiss Stage, thus concluding the Swiss Stage qualification process
Broadcast - Open Qualifier:
Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer-Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Format - Swiss Stage:
Swiss Stage (16 Teams) - Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) to six (6) weeks
Broadcast - Swiss Stage:
Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer-Only) & approved Co-Streamers
Format - Main Event:
Main Event (8 Teams) - Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9 & Day 10
Eight (8) team Double Elimination Bracket
Best-of-Three (Bo3) until Lower Bracket Finals, then (Bo5) for Lower Bracket Finals & Grand Finals
Broadcast - Main Event:
Main Event: Twitch @ /valorant_americas & YouTube @valorant_americas
Secondary Stream: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG (Observer-Only) & approved Co-Streamers
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
Verizon VCT Game Changers NA player eligibility verification will be fulfilled by Raidiant for the 2026 season, through a secure web portal that unlocks verified-only access to registration forms and tournament Discord chats.
If players maintain all matching information, they will not be required to re-verify in future seasons. It’s recommended that players begin the verification process early in the 2026 season to avoid any delays in their eligibility.
The verification process will open in early January 2026.
For more information, visit the Raidiant Discord.
RAIDIANT ACADEMY
In 2026, the Game Changers Academy program will continue as Raidiant Academy, building on its successful operation in both 2024 and 2025. Over the past two seasons, several first-time Raidiant Academy competitors have progressed to compete in Game Changers NA, reinforcing the program’s role as a meaningful pathway into the broader Game Changers ecosystem.
Raidiant Academy events are designed to provide aspiring Game Changers teams, as well as emerging casters, observers, and production staff, a lower-stakes competitive environment to develop, experiment with new rosters, and gain live event experience before stepping onto the Game Changers stage. Each event will continue to feature a recurring $2,000 USD prize pool.
Through broadcasts that highlight rising player and broadcast talent, Raidiant Academy will continue to spotlight the next generation of competitors and creators who may become future standouts in Game Changers NA. Additional details, including dates and registration information, will be shared on https://discord.gg/Raidiant and https://x.com/RaidiantGG.
Broadcast:
Day 1: Player POV Streams
Day 2: Twitch @ /RaidiantGG
COSTREAMING
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.
The watch party application form will be distributed in the Raidiant Discord. All Watch Parties must comply with the Watch Party Guidelines.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Follow along with the action and share your support on social media using #VCTGameChangersNA.
X (formerly Twitter) - @valesportsna & @RaidiantGG
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
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.
