Riot Cuts VCT China Partner Teams to Eight for 2027-2028

Riot Games will trim China's partner group from 10 to eight for 2027 and 2028. The VCT China partnership list for the next two-year cycle has reportedly been revealed, though Riot has not confirmed the teams or shared full details of the regional format.

Confirmed and reported partner teams for 2027-2028

Eight organizations are expected to hold partner slots. Six are current partners, with two new additions joining them. The reported lineup includes EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, TYLOO, All Gamers, Trace Esports, Xi Lai Gaming, and Weibo Gaming.

Four current partners-FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club, and Wolves Esports-will presumably miss the next cycle. Dragon Ranger Gaming, which held a guest slot, is also not needed. Xi Lai Gaming, which won Ascension in 2024 and has played at every international LAN since Masters Toronto 2025, will join the eight-team group. EDward Gaming earned its place after triumphing at Champions 2024, bagging China's only international title. TYLOO and JD Gaming also qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai.

Context on team histories and recent performance

Xi Lai Gaming's ascent follows its Ascension victory. Weibo Gaming's inclusion marks a notable return. The organization played VALORANT from the game’s launch in 2020 but failed to secure a partner slot in 2023 and later left the scene. It returned in early 2026 with mixed results. Weibo Gaming’s current project includes Milan “Milan” de Meij as head coach, who joined in July after more than a year and a half with Fnatic.

Implications for the broader VCT structure

The shift reflects a wider change across all regions. Each of the four regions-EMEA, Americas, Pacific, and China-will now have eight partner teams instead of ten, making 32 in total globally. Partners will keep receiving a base payment and revenue from in-game team capsules. Riot shared nearly $86 million with its 40 partnered organizations in 2025 alone.

Riot is making the 2027 competitive year more open for teams outside the partner group. Under the more open circuit, non-partner teams can still qualify for Cups and Masters events. The Americas, Pacific, and EMEA Kickoff events will feature 12 teams: eight partners and four from Open Qualifiers. The VCT China Kickoff will have eight partners, two visitors, and two Open Qualifier teams. Teams qualifying for a Kickoff or Cup through the open circuit receive $100,000 each. The seasonal prize pool stays above $6 million.

However, the route for non-partner teams isn't clear yet. Qualification details for China remain an open question, with Riot still needing to define the new rules. Losing partner status does not mean teams must leave VALORANT.

Additional background on departing teams

The departure of Wolves Esports is notable given the team's solid run at Masters Toronto 2025. Rumors on the Weibo app suggest that a League of Legends presence was a key factor for Riot in selecting VCT China partners. FunPlus Phoenix left the LoL scene in late 2025, and Nova Esports has been absent from LoL since 2021. Also, China's format might differ from other regions, with claims that China will run its own Ascension tournament.

Riot’s first partnership cycle began in 2023 and ends after the 2026 season. The new cycle begins once the 2026 season concludes. Until Riot confirms the teams or publishes the full China format, the eight-team list remains unconfirmed. Fans should wait for official confirmation from Riot Games before treating the reported partner list as final.