Riot Games will scrap guaranteed team slots in the Valorant Champions Tour starting with the 2027 season, replacing them with a promotion and relegation system. The move, announced Tuesday, is meant to open competition to more organizations and regions.
What the new system means for teams
Under the current VCT format, partner teams hold permanent spots in international leagues. That ends in 2027. Instead, teams will earn their place each season based on performance, with the lowest-ranked squads dropping down and top challenger teams moving up. The change mirrors traditional sports league structures.
Why Riot is making the shift
The company said the switch is intended to democratize competition. Riot wants to give more organizations a shot at the top level, rather than locking them out for years. The move could also broaden the pool of talent, as teams from emerging regions will have a clearer path to the main stage.
Impact on the competitive scene
Removing guaranteed slots means established teams can no longer coast on past deals. Every season becomes a fight to stay up. That pressure could push organizations to invest more in scouting and development. At the same time, the new system may bring fresh rosters and different playstyles into the VCT, raising the overall level of play.
Fans should expect more roster turnover and more dramatic storylines as teams battle relegation. The change also removes the safety net that partner teams have enjoyed since the league launched.
Riot has not yet released the full rules for how the promotion and relegation matches will work, including how many teams move between tiers each season. Those details are expected before the 2026 season ends.
