The competitive schedule for the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) is officially underway, commencing with the crucial Pacific Kickoff tournament. This event is not merely an introductory showcase; it is the immediate gateway to the season’s first global event. From January 22nd to February 15th, the Sangam Colosseum in South Korea will host 12 elite teams fighting for the privilege of representing the region on the international stage.
The Stakes: A Direct Path to Masters Santiago
The primary objective of the Pacific Kickoff is simple yet intensely competitive: secure a berth at VALORANT Masters Santiago. Only three teams will successfully navigate the gauntlet and earn a ticket to Chile, where they will face the top contenders from the Americas, EMEA, and China.
The field comprises 10 established partnered organizations and two freshly promoted squads from the Ascension circuit. This mix guarantees high-stakes drama, as established giants must immediately adapt to the pace set by ambitious newcomers eager to prove their worth.
The Format Revolution: Triple-Elimination Takes Center Stage
Riot Games has introduced a distinct, high-pressure format for the 2026 Kickoff events across all International Leagues: the Triple-Elimination Bracket. While traditional double-elimination grants one safety net, the triple-elimination structure adds complexity and offers a third, final opportunity for teams that stumble early. The tournament is segmented into three distinct brackets:
- Upper Bracket: The initial path for flawless victory.
- Middle Bracket: For teams dropping from the Upper Bracket, offering a chance to regroup.
- Lower Bracket: The final lifeline for teams that have already lost twice.
Ultimately, the winners of the Upper, Middle, and Lower brackets will be the three teams that qualify for Masters Santiago. This structure demands consistency across nearly four weeks of competition, meaning teams must demonstrate tactical depth and mental fortitude to survive repeated elimination threats.
It is, perhaps, an organizational nod to the principle of «three strikes and you`re out,» though for the high-level professional athlete, the mental toll of playing three separate elimination matches remains substantial.
The Privilege of Prior Success: Rewarded Byes
In recognition of their stellar performance in the previous season, four organizations have been granted a strategic advantage: a direct bye to the second round of the Upper Bracket. These teams earned this initial reprieve through their qualification for VALORANT Champions 2025:
- T1
- Paper Rex (PRX)
- DRX
- Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ)
The remaining eight teams begin immediately in Round 1, intensifying the pressure on newcomers and those looking to rebound from a modest 2025 showing.
Opening Encounters and Early Predictions
The tournament commences with critical opening matchups, forcing teams to reveal their strategic direction early in the season. While exact scheduling details are pending, the initial clashes will define the trajectory of the Upper Bracket:
- Match 1: Nongshim RedForce vs Team Secret
- Match 2: ZETA DIVISION vs FULL SENSE
- Match 3: VARREL vs Global Esports
- Match 4: DetonatioN FocusMe vs Gen.G Esports
The victors of these initial best-of-three contests will face the heavy hitters listed above in Round 2, setting up the first major tests of the season.
The Long-Term Goal: Championship Points
Beyond the immediate goal of Masters qualification, the Pacific Kickoff is vital for accumulating Championship Points (CP). These points are the currency used to qualify for the end-of-year global finale, VALORANT Champions 2026 Shanghai. Teams must manage their season-long performance to amass enough CP to secure a spot.
The distribution of Championship Points for the top four teams at the Kickoff is as follows:
- 1st Place: 4 Championship Points
- 2nd Place: 3 Championship Points
- 3rd Place: 2 Championship Points
- 4th Place: 1 Championship Point
Earning even a single point in January can prove decisive come August, emphasizing that every single match win carries weight. The VCT Pacific Kickoff serves as an essential strategic cornerstone, demanding immediate competitive effectiveness from all 12 participants.
Elton Marrow