Riot Sheds Light on VCT 2027 Partner Team Selection Process

VALORANT esports is entering a new era of competition, and Riot Games has revealed the new partnered teams for 2027 and 2028. With 32 teams partnered across all four major regions, a new tournament structure will see partnered orgs compete alongside teams from open qualifiers in various regional and international events.

The partner selection process has inevitably caused some dismay among organizations and fans alike. With partnered slots per region limited to eight, and with Riot Games applying its own criteria for selection, many feel their exclusion is unjustified.

However, Riot has now offered insight into its selection process, giving us a look at how these 32 teams were handpicked from over 100 organizations to invest in the future of VALORANT.

How Did Riot Select the VCT 2027 Partner Teams?

To earn a coveted VCT partnership spot, teams went through a comprehensive selection process that began earlier this year. Organizations first had to submit proposals outlining what they could offer the VCT and VALORANT as a whole. After being shortlisted, the final few teams were personally interviewed by the global and regional esports leads at Riot Games.

Eventually, eight teams were selected for each of the four regions: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. Here is a summary of the selection criteria:

• Commitment to Grow the VALORANT Community

• Community Resonance across Fandom and Content

• Business Sustainability and Responsible Operations

• Operational Excellence and Established Infrastructure

• Competitive Success and Performance Development

As can be seen, Riot Games emphasized teams' commitment to growing the VALORANT community in many ways, such as expanding the fanbase and consistently producing engaging content.

Teams were also expected to be sustainable on the business side, with no gaps in their operating model, and to have an established infrastructure capable of supporting players throughout their journey. Competitive performance was also a key factor, but Riot placed equal emphasis on building fandom and community for the future.

What Benefits do VCT Partner Teams Get?

The selected organizations will be rewarded for their efforts both on and off the server. Teams will receive annual financial support in the form of guaranteed base payments and performance bonuses to help them field top‑of‑the‑line rosters.

They will also have ample opportunities to earn additional revenue through Team & Season capsules, the Champions bundle, and other incentives.

Partnership doesn't necessarily guarantee a spot in major events. However, these teams do get a head start, as the 2027 season will commence with all partnered orgs earning direct qualification for their region's Kickoff events.

From there, they must compete alongside teams from open qualifiers to earn spots in the regional Cups, Masters, and Champions. Even then, partnered teams will be directly seeded into later rounds of the qualifiers, giving them an advantage.

While many have expressed doubts about the new format, Riot Games stated the following:

“This balance of long-term stability and open competition will create a healthier ecosystem, giving established organizations the confidence to invest in their future while ensuring that competitive success is always earned on the server.“

All VCT 2027 Partner Teams

The 32 partnered teams represent a wide range of communities from around the world, bringing their distinct identities and competitive histories to the forefront of VALORANT esports. Here are all the partnered organizations for the 2027 and 2028 seasons:

To learn more about the teams and their partnership status, you can check out our more in-depth article. 

VCT 2027 Partner Teams (Credit: Riot Games)

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Featured image credit: Riot Games

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