The opening matchups for VCT 2026: China Kickoff have officially been locked in, with Riot Games revealing the full seeding for the first VALORANT Champions Tour event of the Chinese season.
In the headline clashes, Trace Esports will go head-to-head with Wolves Esports, while FunPlus Phoenix are set to face off against TYLOO in what promises to be a high-pressure opening round.
First-Round Matchups and Bracket Format
Beyond the two marquee pairings, the opening round of the tournament will also feature ALL Gamers vs NOVA and JD Gaming vs Titan Esports Club. The event will be played using a triple-elimination bracket, a format designed to reward consistency while still allowing teams room to recover from early setbacks.
Meanwhile, Bilibili Gaming, Dragon Ranger Gaming, XLG Esports, and EDward Gaming have all secured byes into the second round, giving them valuable breathing room as the competition heats up.
Source: VALORANT Champions Tour CN X/Twitter. Edited photo
VCT 2026 China Kickoff: Dates, Stakes, and Location
The VCT 2026 China Kickoff will take place in a LAN environment in Guangzhou, beginning on December 22 and running through to February 9. Twelve teams will battle it out not just for domestic dominance, but for international opportunity.
At stake are three qualification spots for the first global event of the season, VALORANT Masters Santiago, along with a total of 10 VCT points distributed across the field — crucial currency in the race toward Champions qualification.
Riot Games Unveils VCT China 2026 Roadshow
Alongside the seeding announcement, Riot Games also revealed the full list of cities hosting the VCT China 2026 Roadshow, which the publisher has described as its most ambitious regional tour to date.
The journey begins in Guangzhou with the China Kickoff and stretches across seven cities, culminating in VALORANT Champions in Shanghai. Each stop is set to feature live audiences, with Riot planning additional community-driven events such as fan fests, VIP galas, and city-wide activations.
All VCT China 2026 Event Locations
VCT CN Kickoff: Guangzhou
VCT CN Stage 1 Regular Season: Hangzhou
VCT CN Stage 1 Playoffs: Beijing
VCT CN Stage 2 Regular Season: Changsha
VCT CN Stage 2 Playoffs: Chengdu
VALORANT Champions: Shanghai
VALORANT Radiant Invitational: To be announced
What to Expect from the 2026 China Kickoff
Scheduled to begin on January 22, the 2026 China Kickoff introduces the new triple-elimination structure to open the competitive year. Teams like Bilibili Gaming, Dragon Ranger Gaming, EDward Gaming, and XLG Esports earned their second-round byes after qualifying for Champions Paris 2025, reinforcing the importance of international success.
Ultimately, only the top three squads will survive the gauntlet and punch their tickets to Masters Santiago, set to run from February 28 to March 15. With form resets, new rosters, and a demanding format, the China Kickoff is shaping up to be one of the most unforgiving openers in VCT history.