Riot Games has revealed partnered Valorant teams for VCT 2027 and 2028, and there are some shocking omissions.
Following LOUD’s Valorant Champions final victory over Team Vitality, Riot has informed teams whether their application was successful.
The likes of Cloud9, Wolves, FC Barcelona, DRX, and FlyQuest are all amongst the names that will not be partners for the new VCT 2027 format.
Here are all the teams from the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China that missed out on VCT partnership for 2027 and 2028.
Who Has Missed Out on VCT Partnership for 2027/28?
The Valorant Champions Tour is getting a major shake-up in 2027, with the VCT becoming an open circuit with Cups and Open Qualifiers.
In preparation for this new format, Riot is reducing each region’s number of partnered teams from 10 to eight.
As a result, here is a full list of teams that have confirmed that Riot rejected their partnership applications.
- VCT Americas
- Cloud9
- ENVY
- Evil Geniuses
- FlyQuest
- FURIA
- M80
- VCT EMEA
- Barça eSports
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- FOKUS
- GIANTX
- KOI
- Natus Vincere
- VCT Pacific
- BOOM Esports
- Detonation FocusMe
- Global Esports
- KIWOOM DRX
- Nongshim RedForce
- RIDDLE ORDER
- S8UL Esports
- Team Secret
- VCT China
- Dragon Ranger Gaming
- FunPlus Phoenix
- Nova Esports
- Titan Esports Club
- Wolves Esports
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VCT Pacific’s Stage 2 winners Global Esports and runners-up NS RedForce just competed at Valorant Champions 2026.
Now, both have lost their partnership status, and India-based Global Esports has since announced it will shut down its esports operations.
Meanwhile, Cloud9, Barça, NS RedForce, ENVY and DRX have all expressed commitment to Open Qualifiers.
And teams won’t be totally hung out to dry, as Riot has confirmed $100k+ support packages for VCT EMEA Open Qualifier teams.
Presumably, teams that progress into VCT through Open Qualifiers in other regions will receive similar support.
Are there any of Riot’s VCT partnership decisions you disagree with? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.
Meanwhile, Riot has confirmed the VCT 2027 locations, including Champions Austin. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
An esports journalist for nine years with a focus on LoL Jack has written for national newspapers, interviewed major names, and driven people mad with puns. He's most proud of…
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