Riot Games announced a significant restructuring of its VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) ecosystem, introducing a new “Path to Champions” that will allow second-tier Challengers teams to directly qualify for the sport’s world championship starting in 2026.
This initiative breaks down previous barriers, enabling non-franchised organizations to contend for a spot at the annual Champions tournament. Previously, direct qualification was almost exclusive to partner teams.
The “Path to Champions” aims to integrate the Tier 2 circuit more directly into the top-tier competition. This creates a more dynamic and meritocratic pathway for teams to achieve global recognition.
For the Americas region, the champions of both the VALORANT Challengers Brazil and North America will earn direct entry into the VCT Americas Stage 2 playoffs. The LATAM Finals champion will also secure a direct spot in these crucial playoffs.
This provides three direct berths for Challengers teams into the VCT Americas Stage 2 playoffs. A fourth spot will be contested in a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
The LCQ will feature three teams: the second-seeded Brazilian Challengers team, the second-seeded North American Challengers team, and the runner-up of the LATAM Finals. The winner of this LCQ will complete the Challengers contingent advancing to the VCT Americas Stage 2 playoffs.
A notable stipulation is that academy line-ups are not permitted to participate in this new “Path to Champions” system. However, academy teams are now eligible for relegation from the Challengers circuit.