Riot Games has unveiled its initial look at Open Qualifiers for the 2027 VCT season, revealing the path that teams around the world can take to compete for spots at VCT Kickoff and the season-long path towards Cups, Masters, and Champions.

While registration is not open today, Riot urged teams to begin preparing for Open Qualifiers, which will begin in November. Riot emphasized the following as key points for teams' preparations:

• Building your competitive roster.
• Making sure players have valid passports
• Following regional VCT channels for dates, formats, and eligibility requirements, including age restrictions and MMR thresholds. Most regions will require three of five players on a roster to be from that region.
• Planning for roster continuity. Open and creator-led teams that retain at least three of their five players will be able to maintain competitive progress throughout the year.
• Choosing a team name and identity while ensuring names, logos, and other branding do not infringe on existing trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.

Open Qualifiers

Open Qualifiers for next season's Kickoff events will begin this November, serving as the first competitive entry point into the 2027 VCT season. Qualification opportunities across Americas, EMEA, and Pacific will grant four teams from the Open Qualifiers to reach each region's Kickoff event, which will consist of eight partner teams and four teams from the Open Qualifiers. VCT China's Kickoff will have details announced at a later date.

Payouts and compensation

Riot's announcement also shared that non-partner teams that qualify for major VCT stages will receive fixed qualification payments in addition to becoming eligible for tournament prize pools.

Qualification rewards for open teams, prize pools, and compensation for partner teams. (Photo by Riot Games)

Teams can gain up to $1.1 million in support from Riot, with qualification rewards as follows:

• $100,000: Kickoff or cup qualification
• $200,000: Masters Qualification
• $400,000: Champions Qualification

Additionally, over $7 million in competitive rewards will be paid out, with the end-of-year Game Changers Championship alone paying out $1 million.

Partner teams will also receive compensation, including a partner stipend, automatic qualification to Kickoff, uncapped rewards, and team capsules, which are believed to feature a Ghost skin next year.

Regions may also host multiple Open Qualifiers per cycle, giving teams additional chances to enter VCT throughout the competitive cycle.

Regional Open Qualifiers

Open Qualifiers in VCT will take place across 16 regions spanning the world's four territories. The Open Qualifiers for each region are as follows:

16 regions across VCT's four territories will host Open Qualifiers. (Photo by Riot Games)

• VCT Americas: North America, Latin America North, Latin America South, Brazil
• VCT EMEA: Europe, Türkiye, MENA
• VCT Pacific: South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Southeast Asia (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, rest of Southeast Asia), South Asia, Oceania
• VCT China: China

Specific registration dates, formats, and eligibility requirements will vary by region. Additional information will be shared through regional VCT channels as registration approaches.

Timeline

A more open, tournament-centric VCT is just around the corner.

The next few months, at a glance. (Photo by Riot Games)

Teams that advance from the Open Qualifiers can earn their way into VCT Kickoff and continue progressing through Cups, Masters, and Champions based on their performance. Along the way, qualifying non-partner teams will have access to fixed qualification payments and applicable prize pools designed to help support continued competition at the highest levels of the sport.

More details will be shared in the coming months, including a full-year calendar and detailed information about Open Qualifiers in each region.