Riot has confirmed all 32 partnered teams for the 2027 VCT season. Starting next year, eight teams each from the Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China will receive additional support from Riot on a renewable two-year cycle.
In the Americas, the partners are 100 Thieves, G2 Esports, NRG, Sentinels, KRÜ Esports, LEVIATÁN, LOUD and MIBR. In EMEA, they are FNATIC, Team Liquid, Team Heretics, Karmine Corp, Team Vitality, Gentle Mates, FUT Esports and BBL Esports.
The Pacific partners are Paper Rex, Rex Regum Qeon, Gen.G, T1, FULL SENSE, GAM Esports, ZETA DIVISION and Crazy Raccoon. China's partners are EDward Gaming, Xi Lai Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, TYLOO, Trace Esports, All Gamers, JD Gaming and Weibo Gaming.
Riot said more than 100 teams worldwide expressed interest, and a smaller group of finalists was interviewed by global and regional esports leads. The criteria were commitment to growing the VALORANT community, community resonance across fandom and content, business sustainability, operational excellence and infrastructure, and competitive success. Riot said it placed particular emphasis on organizations that can build fandom and community.
Each partnered team receives annual financial support from Riot, a chance to earn extra revenue through in-game digital goods, and direct qualification to VCT Kickoff in 2027. After Kickoff there is no direct qualification, so partnered teams must earn their way to Cups and international events.