Since its inception, the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Americas League has brought together the strongest teams from North America, Brazil, and Latin America. With two Champions trophies and a proven track record at Masters events, the region enters 2026 with high expectations. 

Here’s a comprehensive overview of VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff, including the schedule, format, participating teams, and viewing options.

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff Dates & Location

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff will run from January 15 to February 15, 2026, at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles, United States.

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff Schedule

This table outlines the full schedule of each stage, including the respective match dates and start times. 

Note: Official game timings are not available yet. We will update this section as soon as details are announced. 

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff Format

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff has undergone a major format change, introducing a new triple-elimination bracket that gives every team more room to recover and rise.

Under this format, the twelve competing VALORANT teams will play in three brackets: Upper, Middle, and Lower, with the top four finishers from VALORANT Champions 2025 receiving a bye into the second round of the Upper Bracket. All matches will be played as best-of-three series, except the Finals, which will be best-of-five.

Notably, a team will only be eliminated from the tournament after its third loss, creating longer runs and providing more chances for them to fight back. This means that stronger teams aren’t punished as harshly for slow starts, and underdogs have more opportunities to build momentum and climb through the bracket. 

Unlike previous seasons, which traditionally sent the top two teams to Masters, the top three teams that emerge from VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff will qualify for VALORANT Masters Santiago. This change expands the number of participating teams from eight to twelve in Masters 1.

Prize Pool Distribution

Riot Games has not allocated any prize money. However, like in VCT 2025, the top teams will earn Championship points by winning matches throughout the season. These points will be the deciding factor for the teams to qualify for VALORANT Champions Shanghai. 

Teams Competing At VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff

Twelve teams from VCT Americas will compete in the Kickoff, including ten established partner teams and two teams qualified from VCT 2025: Ascension.

• 100 Thieves 
• Cloud9 
• Evil Geniuses 
• FURIA 
• KRÜ Esports 
• LEVIATÁN 
• LOUD
• MIBR
• NRG
• SENTINELS 
• G2 ESPORTS (Ascension 2023)
• ENVY (Ascension 2025) 

How To Watch VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff will be broadcast on the official VALORANT Americas Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok channels. You can follow the live action in three languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Tickets

Tickets to attend VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff are not available at the moment. Riot Games usually opens ticket sales in mid-December, with sales going live from the Tixr website. Follow Esports.net or the official Riot Games page for updated information. 

FAQs

When and where will the VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff take place?

VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff is scheduled from January 15 to February 15, 2026, and will take place at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles, United States.

Has the VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff format changed?

Yes. The VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff format has shifted to a triple-elimination format to increase the number of games and opportunities for teams to prove themselves. 

How to buy tickets for the Americas Kickoff event in the US?

Tickets to attend VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff in person are not live yet. Tournament organizers typically announce sales a few weeks before the tournament.

What are the strong teams to watch during the VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff?

According to the VALORANT Global Power Rankings on December 15, 2025, the three standout teams to watch are NRG (#1), G2 Esports (#4), and MIBR (#6). NRG leads the pack, closing the VCT 2025 season with a 16–9 (64.0% win rate) record and lifting the Champions Paris trophy.

How can I watch the VCT 2026: Americas Kickoff live online?

You can catch all the action from the Americas Kickoff on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. 

References

1. VALORANT Americas (Twitch)
2. VALORANT Champions Tour Americas (YouTube)
3. NVALORANT Esports NA (@valesportsna) (TikTok)
4. Riot Games VCT Americas Tickets & Events (Tixr)
5. Riot Games presents VALORANT (RIOT GAMES)