VCT Stage 2 Playoffs 2026 Host Cities Announced: Madrid, Busan, São Paulo, and Chengdu

Riot Games has officially revealed the host cities for the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Stage 2 Playoffs, confirming Madrid, Busan, São Paulo, and Chengdu as the LAN destinations where regional seasons will reach their decisive conclusion.

The VCT Stage 2 Playoffs 2026 will serve as the final gateway to VALORANT Champions 2026, with the last qualification spots for the world championship on the line.

VCT Stage 2 Playoffs 2026 Host Cities Confirmed

Riot’s announcement outlines a four-continent LAN structure, ensuring that each major region concludes its season with a live playoff event:

• EMEA: Madrid, Spain

• Pacific: Busan, South Korea

• Americas: São Paulo, Brazil

• China: Chengdu, China
  

Each location will host its region’s Stage 2 climax, where teams compete for the final Champions qualification slots.

Two-Stage LAN Structure Introduced for 2026

The 2026 VCT calendar introduces a two-stage LAN approach, separating regular-season studio play from high-stakes regional finales.

Regional Breakdown

• EMEA: Regular season based in Berlin, Germany, with Season Finals in Madrid

• Pacific: Regular season in Seoul, South Korea, followed by Stage 2 Playoffs in Busan

• Americas: Stage 2 Playoffs shift to São Paulo, replacing the traditional Los Angeles stop

• China: A traveling circuit across multiple cities, culminating in Chengdu

This structure allows Riot to bring decisive matches to larger live venues while maintaining consistent league operations throughout the year.

China’s Extended Travel Model and Champions Destination

China continues to follow a multi-city seasonal circuit, reinforcing its distinct competitive identity. The 2026 journey includes:

• Guangzhou – Kickoff

• Hangzhou – Stage 1

• Beijing – Stage 1 Playoffs

• Changsha – Stage 2

• Chengdu – Stage 2 Playoffs

The global season will then culminate at Shanghai, which will host VALORANT Champions 2026, where the world champion is crowned.

Why VCT Stage 2 Playoffs Matter in 2026

With Champions 2026 qualification on the line, Stage 2 Playoffs represent the most consequential point of the regional seasons. Teams that fall short earlier in the year will have one final opportunity to secure their place on the world stage.

Riot’s roadshow-style approach reflects a broader push to:

• Expand live VALORANT esports beyond studio settings

• Strengthen regional fan engagement

• Reinforce VCT’s global identity

What’s Next

Riot Games has confirmed that additional details on schedules, formats, and ticketing for the VCT Stage 2 Playoffs 2026 will be released in the coming months.

As the final step before Champions, these LAN events are set to define the competitive landscape heading into VALORANT’s biggest tournament of the year.