Thailand and Indonesia Are Listed as Their Own VCT Open Qualifier Sub-Regions While the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore Share One
Riot's VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers start in November, with four Kickoff places per league for non-partner teams and a shared SEA sub-region.
Riot Games has published details of the Open Qualifiers that will give teams outside the VCT partnership programme a route into the 2027 Valorant Champions Tour, with qualifying due to begin in November.
In each of the Americas, EMEA and Pacific leagues, the 2027 Kickoff will feature 12 teams: eight partner teams and four from the Open Qualifiers. Riot said a region may run more than one qualifying tournament during the season. China operates under its own VCT CN structure, with details to follow separately.
For the Pacific, the qualifying sub-regions are South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Oceania. The Southeast Asia sub-region covers the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia, so teams from those three countries are grouped together while Thailand and Indonesia are listed separately.
Most regions will require at least three of a team's five players to come from the home region, allowing two imports. Teams that keep three of their five players retain their competitive progress through the season. Non-partner teams that reach major VCT stages will receive fixed qualification payments and are eligible for prize money at applicable events. Open teams can compete in Kickoff, Masters, Champions and VCT Cups.
Free agency opens on 2 November, the 2027 Kickoff begins in January and the first Masters event is scheduled for February.
The announcement comes as the 2026 season nears its end. Valorant Champions in Shanghai runs until 18 October, and the Pacific will be represented there by Global Esports, Nongshim RedForce, Paper Rex and T1.