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VCT 2027 brings open qualifiers back online with a zero-tolerance anti-cheat net

OFFICIAL Written by GPN · Nov 7, 2026, 6:07 AM ET · VALORANT · Gaming

The VALORANT Champions Tour enters a new era in 2027, with more teams, more ways to qualify and the return of online competition — and Riot is backing it with a tougher competitive-integrity framework.

A new era

In 2027 the VCT opens up: more teams get a shot, there are more qualification opportunities, and online competition returns. Riot says it has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating, and enabling or assisting others to cheat is prohibited as well.

Who can play

Open Qualifiers are open to Ascendant+ players: every team member must have hit a peak of Ascendant or higher in the last six months. All competitors must be Vanguard Check compliant, and accounts must be in good standing — not currently banned, with no Game Ban, Vanguard Intervention, Ranked Restriction or Comms Restriction in the last 30 days, and no Ranked queue restriction during enrollment or competition.

How integrity scales

The checks get stricter as the stakes rise. Open Qualifiers run under Vanguard-led protection with post-match reporting and retroactive enforcement. Open Play-Ins add monitoring and verification at each region's discretion. Open Playoffs mandate the full framework: voice monitoring, player POV recordings, match-area cameras and additional anti-cheat checks.

Player POV livestreams of Open Qualifiers need a broadcast delay of at least two minutes, and third-party creators can co-stream player POV feeds with prior approval from the tournament organizer. Coaches can communicate with players in the early stages; in the later stages of Cup qualification tournaments, coach communication is monitored under current VCT rules.

Points and rosters

Championship Points expand across nearly every level of the VCT in 2027 — Open Qualifiers, Kickoff, Cups and Masters — carrying greater weight at higher levels and a role in Champions qualification. Teams generally need to retain at least three of five players to keep their progress and Championship Points between Open Qualifiers, and need at least three of five starting players from the team's designated home region, subject to exceptions.

Facts gathered from

• Riot Games

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