Hero image: VALORANT Champions Shanghai. Image: Riot Games
Sixteen teams are fighting for the 2026 VALORANT world title in Shanghai. While they play, Riot is already pointing Oceanian teams at 2027, with open qualifiers for VCT Pacific starting in November.
The biggest VALORANT event of the year is live. Champions Shanghai started on 24 September and runs to 18 October, with sixteen teams from Americas, CN, EMEA and Pacific chasing the world title.
Here is how it works. The Groups Stage runs to 4 October, with four groups and one team from each region in every group. All matches are best-of-three, and two losses sends a team home. Eight teams survive. The Playoffs run from 7 to 18 October, double elimination, with the Grand Final on Sunday 18 October. Monday 28 September is a dark day, so there are no matches that day.
If you play in Oceania, the more important news is what comes next. Riot’s VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers post lists an Oceania Open Qualifier under VCT Pacific. From 2027, Kickoff in Pacific will have 12 teams: 8 partner teams and 4 from Open Qualifiers.
The dates are close. Riot’s timeline puts VCT 2027 free agency on 2 November 2026, Open Qualifiers in November, Kickoff in January 2027 and Masters in February 2027. Registration is not open yet, and Riot says regions may host more than one Open Qualifier.
There is money attached this time. Riot’s graphic lists US$100,000 for a Kickoff or Cup qualification, US$200,000 for Masters and US$400,000 for Champions, for up to US$1,100,000 in potential support. Riot says non-partner teams will also be eligible for prize pool earnings.
So what should an Oceanian team do now? Riot’s own checklist is simple. Build your roster. Make sure your players have valid passports, and start any travel or visa preparation. In most regions, at least 3 of your 5 players must be from that region. Keep at least 3 of your 5 players together through the season and you keep your competitive progress. Pick a name and branding that does not infringe anyone else’s trademarks.
Riot sums it up in four words: “Be ready for November.” League of Legends is changing its Pacific league for 2027 as well, and we covered the LCP’s 2027 rebuild yesterday.
Watch Champions on the official VALORANT channels, then start your team group chat.
Source: VALORANT Esports – Get Ready for VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers, VALORANT Esports – Champions Shanghai: Everything You Need To Know, VALORANT Esports – Champions Shanghai Opening Day