Following an action-packed 2025 season filled with intense rivalries and remarkable individual performances, expectations are high for VCT Pacific 2026 which kicks off on January 22, 2026, where teams will battle for spots at global events and a piece of the US$250,000 prize pool.
The VCT Pacific 2025 season was a landmark year that established the region as a true global force in competitive Valorant. The domestic circuit saw intense competition, with DRX claiming the title at VCT Pacific Kickoff, followed by Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) taking the crown at VCT Pacific Stage 1.
On the international stage, Pacific teams delivered historic results: T1 secured the region’s first major global trophy by winning Masters Bangkok, and Paper Rex followed up that success by winning Masters Toronto, making VCT Pacific the first league to claim both Masters titles in a single season.
Paper Rex continued their dominant run by winning VCT Pacific Stage 2. The year culminated at Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris, where NRG was ultimately crowned the world champion while DRX and Paper Rex finished the year in third and fourth place, respectively.
All teams competing in VCT Pacific 2026
- Paper Rex
- Gen.G
- DRX
- Rex Regum Qeon
- T1
- Full Sense
- Global Esports
- Team Secret
- Zeta Division
- DetonatioN FocusMe
- Nongshim RedForce
- Varrel
Three new teams join the restructured VCT Pacific 2026 league
The roster of participating teams welcomes Full Sense, who step in to replace Talon Esports. Additionally, two squads have successfully climbed the ranks from the Ascension Pacific 2025 tournament: the returning Nongshim RedForce and the fresh contender Varrel.
A major structural update is the introduction of the Challengers Path to Champions, which now offers Challengers teams a direct route to compete for slots in the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Playoffs, providing them a chance to qualify for Champions.
Championship Points will also be awarded again in 2026, rewarding consistency across the season. The top two teams on the points leaderboard, along with the top two from the Stage 2 Playoffs, will secure berths at Champions.
VCT Pacific 2026 schedule
| VCT PACIFIC 2026 SCHEDULE | DATES (2026) |
| Kickoff | January 22 — February 15 |
| Stage 1 | April 3 — May 17 |
| Stage 2 | July 16 — September 6 |
VCT Pacific Kickoff
The year commences with VCT Pacific Kickoff, running from January 22 to February 15, 2026.
This event will feature a new triple elimination bracket, effectively giving teams three “lives” before they are eliminated, offering more playing time and reducing downtime.
The four teams that qualified for Champions 2025 will receive a first-round bye in the Upper Bracket, while all other teams will be placed via a random draw.
The top three finishers from Kickoff will qualify for the first global event, Masters Santiago.
VCT Pacific Stage 1
Stage 1 follows Masters Santiago, taking place from April 3 to May 17, 2026.
The twelve teams will be sorted into two groups of six for a single round-robin, best-of-three group stage. The top four teams from each group advance to the Playoffs.
These eight teams will compete in a best-of-three double elimination bracket, with the Lower Finals and Grand Finals expanding to a best-of-five format.
The group winners receive a first-round bye in the Upper Bracket, while fourth-place teams begin in the Lower Bracket. The top three teams from the Stage 1 Playoffs will earn qualification to Masters London.
VCT Pacific Stage 2
Stage 2 will be held from July 16 to September 6, 2026, after Masters London.
Similar to Stage 1, teams are divided into two groups of six for a single round-robin best-of-three. The top two teams from each group immediately advance to the Stage 2 Playoffs.
The remaining eight teams (3rd to 6th place from groups) will enter the Play-Ins, where they are joined by four teams from the Challengers leagues.
This 12-team Play-In phase features a double elimination bracket, with 3rd and 4th place group teams receiving a first-round bye. The top four teams from Play-Ins complete the eight-team Playoffs field.
The Playoffs are a double elimination, best-of-three bracket, concluding with best-of-five Lower and Grand Finals. Group winners receive Upper Bracket byes, and Play-In qualifiers start in the Lower Bracket.
The top two teams from Stage 2 Playoffs, along with the top two Championship Points earners, qualify for Champions 2026 in Shanghai, where the final VCT Pacific champion of the year will also be crowned.
Where to watch VCT Pacific 2026
Matches are scheduled to begin daily at 3pm GMT+7 | 4pm GMT+8 | 5pm GMT+9.
Official broadcast links and the updated schedule will be available on valorantesports.com. The VCT Pacific Kickoff is supported by Acer, Intel, Pulsar, Red Bull, and ZOWIE.
