Riot Games has rolled out Patch 12.01, reintroducing the popular Esports Hub just in time for the VCT 2026 season kickoff. Accessible directly from the in-game Esports tab, the Hub serves as a comprehensive destination for fans to track VCT action without leaving Valorant. It features recent match results, upcoming schedules, global events, team rosters, and highlights from the new Path to Champions system, perfect for those missing live broadcasts.
Players can now support their favourite teams financially via VCT Capsules, available for 2,320 VP in the store (50% of net proceeds go to organizations). A VALORANT Champions 2026 bundle will also drop ahead of the grand finale in Shanghai.
Full Schedule
The revamped season emphasizes more live events, new teams, and an open Path to Champions. Kickoff tournaments are underway in EMEA and Americas, with top performers advancing through Stages 1 and 2 to international majors:
- VCT Kickoff: January 15 – February 15
- VALORANT Masters Santiago: February 28 – March 15
- VCT Stage 1: March 31 – May 10
- VCT Stage 1 Playoffs: May 6 – 24
- VALORANT Masters London: June 6 – 21
- VCT Stage 2: June 30 – August 16
- VCT Season Finals: August 5 – September 6
- VALORANT Champions Shanghai: September 24 – October 18
Regional matches stream on local Twitch/YouTube channels, internationals on official VCT platforms. Early highlights include wins for NAVI and Gentle Mates in VCT EMEA Kickoff openers.
Patch Highlights
Beyond the Hub, Patch 12.01 focuses on stability:
- EU Competitive Security: Ascendant+ players and detected account sharers must enable Riot Mobile MFA to queue.
- Bug Fixes: Addresses issues for agents like Harbor, Fade, Gekko, Viper, Chamber, Veto, Killjoy, Sage, Phoenix, and Yoru, plus gameplay systems (tracers, loadouts) and modes like All Random One Site.
This update cements Valorant’s position as an esports powerhouse, blending seamless in-game viewing with high-stakes pro competition throughout 2026.
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- Source: https://www.esportsbets.com/news/valorant-patch-brings-back-esports-hub-for-vct-2026-season/