Riot Games Shares New Details on “Path to Champions” for Challenger Teams Ahead of 2026 VCT Season

Riot Games has unveiled new information about the upcoming Path to Champions initiative, set to launch in 2026, providing a direct route for Challenger teams to qualify for VALORANT Champions. The announcement expands on the program first revealed earlier this year, outlining structure, eligibility, and regional slot allocation for teams hoping to reach the biggest stage in competitive VALORANT.

A New Path for Challenger Teams

Under the new system, Challenger teams that qualify for Stage 2 Playoffs will receive a $75,000 USD cash stipend to assist with travel, visas, and logistics for participation. The funding is intended to make international competition more accessible while ensuring every qualified team can attend.

Teams advancing through the Path to Champions will compete at International League hub locations and Stage 2 Playoff roadshows. While Riot will provide financial assistance, participating teams remain responsible for securing documentation and accommodations.

Each VCT territory will send four Challenger teams to the Stage 2 Playoffs, where they’ll face off against International League (IL) teams for a spot at Champions 2026.

Regional Slot Allocation

1) VCT Americas

In the Americas, North America and Brazil will each secure one direct slot into Path to Champions. For LATAM, the top teams from LATAM North and LATAM South will compete for a single slot.The fourth and final slot will be decided through a Last Chance Qualifier, featuring the NA 2nd seed, Brazil 2nd seed, and the loser of the LATAM finals.

2) VCT EMEA

For EMEA, qualification will again be determined through Challengers EMEA standings, using cumulative points and placement results to identify the top four seeds advancing to Path to Champions.

3) VCT Pacific

In the Pacific region, the top team from Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea will each earn a direct Path to Champions slot. The last slot will be decided through a Last Chance Qualifier between the top South Asia team, top Oceania team, and the 2nd and 3rd seeds from Southeast Asia.

4) VCT China

Details regarding the VCT China qualification route will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eligibility and Roster Rules

Academy teams will not be eligible to compete in Path to Champions, although they may continue participating in regional Challenger events. Starting in 2026, Academy teams will lose relegation protection, meaning they must defend their place if they finish at the bottom of their league—an effort by Riot to promote competitive meritocracy within the Challengers ecosystem.

Affiliate teams, however, will be permitted to compete in Path to Champions without needing to dissolve partnerships with their main organizations. Still, player movement restrictions will apply — no transfers between main and affiliate rosters will be allowed during Stage 2 Playoffs or Champions roster lock periods.

Age and Regional Composition Rules

Riot also addressed roster construction requirements and age restrictions for the Path to Champions and Champions tournaments.

In compliance with local regulations in China, all players competing at events hosted there must be 18 years or older. Challenger teams with underage players may need to adjust their rosters before attending Champions.

For the 2026 season, Challenger teams in VCT EMEA, Americas, and Pacific will be allowed to field players aged 16 or older and include up to two imports from outside their region when competing in IL Playoffs. However, in VCT China, the minimum player age remains 18 across both IL and CL.

Challengers teams must still follow standard regional roster rules: at least three players from their region and two global players.

A Step Toward a Unified Future

Riot emphasized its commitment to providing clarity for organizations planning their 2026 runs and beyond. The developer also revealed that it is working on a broader policy review, aiming to unify competitive rules across the partnered and open ecosystems by the start of the 2027 season.

The Path to Champions initiative marks a major evolution in the VALORANT esports ecosystem, giving aspiring Challenger rosters a structured and financially supported path to the top level of play — and ultimately, a shot at the Champions Trophy.