All 32 partnered teams for VCT 2027

The 32 partner teams for the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2087 has been finalized. As the VCT moves to an Open format next year, only eight partners were named for each of the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China regions.

Key takeaways

• Riot named 32 partners, eight each in the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China.
• Partners get annual financial support, capsule revenue, and direct entry to VCT Kickoff.
• After Kickoff, only results earn spots at Cups, Masters, and Champions.
• Riot chose from more than 100 applicants using five criteria, stressing fandom and community resonance.
• The partner pool shrank from 40 organizations to 32.

All 32 VCT 2027 partner teams

Organizations began confirming their VCT 2027 partnership status on Oct. 18, ahead of Riot’s full announcement. Each region now has eight partners, down from 10 in the previous cycle.

There were some unexpected names in the list, like Japanese organization Crazy Raccoon and Vietnam’s GAM Esports. However, the teams who didn’t make it raised more discussions than those who did.

Who missed out

Riot’s smaller pool of eight partner teams per region left several notable names out.

For Americas, organizations like FURIA and MIBR didn’t make the list. Evil Geniuses, following its exclusion from the VCT 2027 Partner Teams, have shut down and ended its 27-year long run in esports.

Shopify Rebellion also missed out, prompting co-owner and content creator Ludwig Ahgren to say that he thinks that the org should completely pull out of the VALORANT scene.

Masters Santiago winners Nongshim RedForce also missed out, though its CEO Evans Oh said the organization will stay in VALORANT.

VCT Pacific 2026 Stage 2 winners Global Esports seemingly declined its spot, as its CEO Rushindra Sinha announced the company’s shift to an AI-powered studio venture instead.

Non-partner teams can still reach Cups and Masters through results.

How Riot picked the 32 partners

More than 100 teams submitted interest, sharing proposals earlier this year. A smaller group of finalists was then interviewed by global and regional esports leads.

Riot, which outlined the process in its April announcement, judged applicants on five criteria:

• Commitment to growing the VALORANT community
• Community resonance across fandom and content
• Business sustainability and responsible operations
• Operational excellence and established infrastructure
• Competitive success and performance development

It said results mattered, but placed particular emphasis on fandom and community resonance. It also looked for a passionate local fanbase, a distinct identity, or a history of competitive excellence.

What partner teams get in 2027

Partnership runs on two-year renewable cycles, with annual financial support for each team. Our look at why the new partnership is a big upgrade for teams covers the base payment and performance bonus.

Partners can also earn extra revenue from Team and Season Capsules, the Championship bundle, and incentives tied to growing VALORANT Esports. Each partner also gets direct qualification to VCT Kickoff at the start of the 2027 season.

What changes after Kickoff 2027

Kickoff is the last guaranteed stop. After it, partners compete alongside and against Open Qualifier teams, and results are the only way into Cups, Masters, and Champions.

Partners that miss top spots at Cups or Masters must return through Open Playoffs. Partner status now carries real relegation risk.

In China, where XLG and Weibo Gaming joined the partner group, Kickoff will feature eight partners, two visitor teams, and two Open Qualifier teams.

Riot said this balance of long-term stability and open competition should build a healthier ecosystem, with success always earned on the server.