Riot Games Reveals Revamped VCT 2026 Stage 1 & Stage 2 Formats

Fahad Umar
January 13, 2026
10:16 am

Published: Jan 13, 2026

Riot Games has officially unveiled the formats for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026, introducing double elimination playoffs, reshuffled groups, and a groundbreaking Play-Ins bracket that gives top Challengers teams a direct path to VCT playoffs.

This revamp promises high level action across the four International Leagues: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China, each featuring 12 partnered teams.

The announcement, highlighted in a slick video breakdown from VALORANT Esports, shifts fully to bracket formats league wide, ditching Swiss stages for more predictable, elimination-heavy competition.

Stage 1: Group Split to Double-Elim Playoffs

Each league’s 12 teams will be divided into Alpha and Omega groups of six for a single round robin tournament (all matches Best of 3).

Advancement: Top 4 from each group (8 total) advance to a double elimination playoff bracket.
Rewards: The top 3 teams qualify for Masters Santiago (first international LAN post-Kickoff).

Bottom 4 teams per group are eliminated early, ramping up the pressure from day one.

Stage 2: Reshuffles, Play-Ins, and Last Chance Drama

Groups reshuffle for another round robin showdown.

Direct to Playoffs: Top 2 per group (4 teams) bypass Play-Ins.
Play-Ins Bracket: VCT teams finishing 5th-12th (8 teams) join 4 top Challengers squads in a high-elimination fight for the remaining 4 playoff spots.
Playoffs: 8 team double elim bracket crowns the league’s best.

This “LCQ style” Play-Ins ensures no VCT team exits without a fight and opens the door for Tier 2 upsets at Champions Shanghai.

Bigger Picture: Kickoff to Champions

The season kicks off with revamped regional Kickoffs (triple-elimination, Jan 15-Feb 15), feeding into Stage 1. Post-Stage 2 comes Masters London, with Champions crowning the world champ in fall.

“Next up, Stage 2 turns up the heat,” teases the official video narration, capturing the escalating intensity.

With Kickoffs imminent Americas Jan 15, EMEA Jan 20, Pacific/CN Jan 22 these formats set the stage for VCT’s most dynamic year yet, blending stability for partners with fresh paths for challengers.

Daniel Davis

Since: October 29, 2025

Hi, I’m Dan, an experienced esports journalist and author passionate about competitive gaming and digital culture. I specialize in titles like Counter Strike, Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Valorant. I’ve documented the rise of professional esports from local tournaments to global stages. With a sharp focus on player strategy, team chemistry, and the evolving industry landscape, I deliver in depth insight into the world’s most popular competitive games.

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