Changes coming to VCT Challengers in APAC 2026

VALORANT Champions 2025 marked the conclusion of the 2025 VCT Season. With NRG Esports lifting the trophy, attention quickly shifted to the regional VCT Ascension tournaments. Following VALORANT Champions 2025, Riot Games announced several changes for the VCT 2026 Season. One of the most significant changes involves the regional Challenger leagues. In a recent blog post, Riot Games provided more details on upcoming adjustments to VCT Challengers 2026. Let’s explore these changes in detail.

All new changes announced to VCT Challengers in APAC 2026

Image Credits: Riot Games

Back in the first week of October, Riot Games released a blog titled “First Look at VALORANT Champions Tour 2026”. In this blog, Riot Games announced that VALORANT Masters will take place in Santiago and London in 2026. Alongside that, VALORANT Champions 2026 will take place in Shanghai.

On the blog, Riot Games stated that VCT Ascension tournaments will not return in the 2026 season. Instead, teams from the region VCT Challenger leagues will secure a spot in the region VCT Stage Two tournaments. Each qualified team will receive a $75,000 stipend. This sum of money will be given to the teams to assist with travel and attendance for the VCT Stage 2 2026 playoffs.

In a new blog post, Riot Games has shared more information about the VCT APAC 2026 League. Firstly, the top teams in VCT Challengers from Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea will each receive a direct slot in the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Playoffs. A Last Chance Qualifier will determine the fourth slot. This tournament will feature the winners from VCT Challengers South Asia and Oceania and the 2nd- and 3rd-seeded teams from VCT Challengers Southeast Asia.

Significant Changes to Challengers South East Asia in 2026

Image Credits: Riot Games

For the VCT APAC 2026, some significant changes are coming to the VCT Challengers South East Asia format. In 2026, there will be open qualifiers in the following countries:

• Indonesia
• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Thailand

Teams will have to first play in local open qualifier tournaments. The top teams from each of the five open qualifiers will secure a spot in the local qualifier tournaments. Following the local qualifiers, the top 2 teams from each country, the regional premier league, and other SEA countries will secure a spot in the VCT Challengers South East Asia 2026 tournament. The competitive structure always provides ample opportunity for betting on VALORANT.

These changes aim to include teams from across Southeast Asia in the VCT circuit and to provide opportunities for new teams and players to participate and compete for a place at VALORANT Champions 2026. Overall, these adjustments are expected to enhance competition in the VCT Pacific Stage 2 tournament significantly. Riot Games has stated that, in due course, they will announce the format for each VCT Challenger 2026 league.

Image Credits: Riot Games