VCT 2026 China Kickoff: Schedule, Format, Teams & How To Watch
The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026: China Kickoff marks the start of the new season with a familiar lineup returning for another high-stakes competition. China has evolved from an underdog to a global powerhouse thanks to strong local support and EDward Gaming’s international breakthrough.
What’s more, China is the first region to host its entire pro circuit as a seven-city roadshow, culminating with VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai. Here’s a full look at the VCT 2026: China Kickoff, including the schedule, format, teams, and streaming options.
VCT 2026: China Kickoff Dates & Location
The VCT 2026: China Kickoff will take place from January 22 to February 9, 2026, at the Poly World Trade Center Expo in Guangzhou, China.
VCT 2026: China Kickoff Schedule
The China Kickoff tournament spans three weeks, gradually raising the pressure as teams move through the bracket. The opening week features eight Upper Bracket matchups, followed by a tense shift into the Middle and Lower Brackets.
The closing week concludes with the Finals across all three brackets, where qualification spots for VALORANT Masters Santiago are decided. Each round will proceed only after the previous matches have finished.
Here’s the full VCT 2026: China Kickoff schedule:
| Match Date | Match (M) | Games | Match Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, January 22 | 1 | All Gamers vs. Nova Esports | 17:00 CST | 4:00 EST | 1:00 PST |
| 2 | JDG Esports vs. Titan Esports Club | 19:00 CST | 6:00 EST | 3:00 PST | |
| Friday, January 23 | 3 | Trace Esports vs. Wolves Esports | 17:00 CST | 4:00 EST | 1:00 PST |
| 4 | FunPlus Phoenix vs. TYLOO | 19:00 CST | 6:00 EST | 3:00 PST | |
| Saturday, January 24 | 5 | Bilibili Gaming vs. Winner of Match 1 | 17:00 CST | 4:00 EST | 1:00 PST |
| 6 | Dragon Ranger Gaming vs. Winner of Match 2 | 19:00 CST | 6:00 EST | 3:00 PST | |
| Sunday, January 25 | 7 | Xi Lai Gaming vs. Winner of Match 3 | 17:00 CST | 4:00 EST | 1:00 PST |
| 8 | EDward Gaming vs. Winner of Match 4 | 19:00 CST | 6:00 EST | 3:00 PST |
Note: You can follow the official VCT China account on X for official fixtures and updates.
VCT 2026: China Kickoff Format
The VCT 2026: China Kickoff will follow the same structure as the other regional Kickoffs, featuring a triple-elimination format in which twelve teams will compete across three brackets.
EDward Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, Xi Lai Gaming, and Dragon Ranger Gaming have received direct byes to Round 2 of the Upper Bracket following their performances at VALORANT Champions Paris. The remaining eight teams will start from Round 1 of the Upper Bracket.
The winners of Round 1 advance to Round 2, while the losing teams drop into the Middle Bracket. Unlike a standard double-elimination system, the Middle Bracket does not eliminate teams immediately. Instead, teams that lose there are sent to the Lower Bracket for one final chance to stay alive.
Every match follows a best-of-three format, except for the Finals of each bracket, which will be played as a best-of-five series. This structure adds an additional spot for VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026, thereby expanding the lineup to a total of twelve participating teams.
Prize Pool Distribution
There is no prize pool for VCT 2026: China Kickoff. All competing teams will instead earn Championship Points, which are crucial to qualify for VALORANT Champions 2026. Here’s how it is distributed:
| Place | Championship Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 4 |
| 2nd | 3 |
| 3rd | 2 |
| 4th | 1 |
| 5th–12th | 0 |
Teams Competing At VCT 2026: China Kickoff
The same twelve VALORANT teams from the 2025 season will return for the China Kickoff, including ten partner teams and two Ascension qualifiers. Xi Lai Gaming and Dragon Ranger Gaming secured their spots through Ascension 2024 and 2025.
- All Gamers
- Bilibili Gaming
- EDward Gaming
- FunPlus Phoenix
- JDG Esports
- Nova Esports
- Titan Esports Club
- Trace Esports
- TYLOO
- Wolves Esports
- Xi Lai Gaming (Ascension 2024)
- Dragon Ranger Gaming (Ascension 2025)
How To Watch The VCT 2026: China Kickoff
The VCT 2026: China Kickoff will be broadcast on VCT China’s official Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, and other Chinese streaming platforms. For English-language viewers, there is no official broadcast; however, some regional co-streamers may provide coverage.
Tickets
Ticketing information for VCT 2026: China Kickoff has not been announced yet and is typically released 7 to 10 days before the event through platforms like Damai and the Bilibili app.
FAQs
When and where will the VCT 2026: China Kickoff take place?
VCT 2026: China Kickoff is scheduled to run from January 22 to February 9, 2026, at the Poly World Trade Center Expo in Guangzhou, China.
Has the VCT 2026: China Kickoff format changed?
Yes. VCT 2026: China Kickoff will feature a triple-elimination format, replacing the familiar double-elimination system, adding an additional slot for VALORANT Masters Santiago.
How to buy tickets for the VCT 2026: China Kickoff event live?
Tickets for VCT 2026: China Kickoff have not been announced yet.
What are the strong teams to watch during the VCT 2026: China Kickoff?
The three strongest teams to watch in VCT 2026: China Kickoff are Xi Lai Gaming (#9), Bilibili Gaming (#11), and Dragon Ranger Gaming (#14), according to the VALORANT Global Power Rankings on January 6, 2026.
How can I watch the VCT 2026: China Kickoff live online?
You can watch VALORANT China on the VCT China’s official Twitch, YouTube, and Bilibili channels.
References
- VALORANT Champions Tour CN (@valesports_cn) (X)
- valorantesports_cn (Twitch)
- VALORANT Champions Tour CN (YouTube)
- 恭喜PRX获得2025无畏契约源能国际邀请赛冠军！ – 无畏契约赛事 – 哔哩哔哩直播，二次元弹幕直播平台 (Live Bilibili)
