VCT 2026: All Teams, Format Changes, and Betting Outlook

VCT 2026: What’s Changed

Riot Games has overhauled the Valorant Champions Tour format for 2026, introducing a new international league structure that consolidates the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific regions into a unified points system.

Key Format Changes

Split format: Two competitive splits with a mid-year break for roster moves
New relegation system: Bottom two teams in each region face promotion/relegation playoffs against Challengers
Expanded Masters: Three international Masters events instead of two, with higher prize pools
Champions format: Top 10 teams from international standings + 2 regional wildcards

Roster Moves to Watch

Sentinels have rebuilt around their star duelist following a disappointing 2025. Their new entry fragger acquisition from the European scene is the most talked-about signing of the off-season.

FNATIC retain their core but have added a new IGL from NRG’s academy team — a move that could either solidify or destabilize their already impressive system play.

Cloud9 made the most aggressive off-season investment, poaching two players from rival franchises. If the chemistry works, they’re a genuine title contender.

Betting Markets to Target

With format changes come new value opportunities:

Regional winner futures — odds often take time to update after roster changes
First map winner — new lineups are inconsistent in opening maps while building synergy
Total maps played — new rosters struggle to close series efficiently, pushing totals over

Our Outlook

FNATIC enter as our pre-season favourites for EMEA based on their structural consistency. In the Americas, watch Cloud9 at longer odds as the value pick. We’ll have detailed match-by-match tips as the split gets underway.