TL;DR:
The path into VCT EMEA is opening up in 2027. Build a team and sign up to compete. Kickoff Qualifiers begin this November across Europe, Türkiye and MENA.Teams will have two chances to advance, through Kickoff Qualifier 1 and Kickoff Qualifier 2. Europe: Nov. 5–8 & Nov. 12–15, Türkiye: Nov. 10–13 & Nov. 18–21, MENA: Nov. 1–3 & Nov. 9–11Successful teams will advance through their regional pathway for a place at VCT EMEA Kickoff.Select non-partner teams will receive direct invites to the Europe and Türkiye Kickoff Qualifier Playoffs, while select teams in MENA will receive higher seeding in Kickoff Qualifiers.Four teams will reach VCT EMEA Kickoff: two from Europe, one from Türkiye and one from MENA.Non-partner teams that reach Kickoff will receive $100,000 in financial support.Kickoff Qualifier 1 registration is now open: Europe: [Sign Up] Türkiye: [Sign Up] Middle East: [Sign Up] North Africa: [Sign Up]Kickoff Qualifier 2 registration will open at a later date.
The road to 2027 VCT EMEA Kickoff starts this November – and you and your friends could be part of it!
In 2027, aspiring players and teams across EMEA will have more opportunities to compete directly within the VCT ecosystem. Whether you’re an established competitive team or putting together a roster for the first time with your friends, Kickoff Qualifiers give you the chance to start your run towards VCT EMEA.
And there’s more than just glory on the line. Non-partner teams that make it all the way to Kickoff will receive $100,000 in financial support, alongside the opportunity to test themselves against the best teams in EMEA.
The qualification pathway will span three competitive regions – Europe, Türkiye and MENA – with each running regional Kickoff Qualifiers and its own pathway to VCT EMEA Kickoff.
VCT EMEA Kickoff 2027 will feature 12 teams: eight partner teams and four teams that earn their place through regional qualification – two from Europe, one from Türkiye and one from MENA.
So, what does the road from Kickoff Qualifiers to VCT EMEA Kickoff look like for your team?
Regional Kickoff Qualifiers
The path to Kickoff starts with two Kickoff Qualifiers in each region, giving teams two chances to advance. The top teams will then progress through their regional pathway and compete for a place at VCT EMEA Kickoff.
Select non-partner teams will also receive direct invites or higher seeding based on their 2026 competitive performance, depending on the region. Further information about which teams will receive direct invites will be revealed at a later date.
Here’s how it works in each region:
Europe
Europe’s Kickoff Qualifiers will feature single-elimination brackets with Best-of-Three matches.
VCT EMEA Kickoff Europe Qualifier 1: November 5–8VCT EMEA Kickoff Europe Qualifier 2: November 12–15
The top four teams from each Kickoff Qualifier will advance to a 16-team Kickoff Europe Qualifier Playoffs, taking place November 26–December 5. The eight qualifying teams will be joined by eight invited non-partner teams, selected based on their 2026 competitive status and performance.
The Kickoff Qualifier Playoffs will feature a modified double-elimination bracket with Best-of-Three matches, and a Best-of-Five grand final, with the top two teams qualifying for VCT EMEA Kickoff.
Türkiye
Türkiye’s Kickoff Qualifiers will feature single-elimination brackets with Best-of-Three matches.
VCT EMEA Kickoff Turkiye Qualifier 1: November 10–13VCT EMEA Kickoff Turkiye Qualifier 2: November 18–21
The top two teams from each Kickoff Qualifier will advance to the eight-team Kickoff Türkiye Qualifier Playoffs taking place November 25–December 6, where they will be joined by four invited teams based on their 2026 competitive performance.
The Kickoff Qualifier Playoffs will feature a GSL group stage, with teams split into two groups of four. The top two teams per group will advance to the double elimination bracket. All matches will be Best-of-Three, with a Best-of-Five grand final, with the winner qualifying for VCT EMEA Kickoff.
MENA
MENA’s Kickoff Qualifiers will be split between the Middle East (ME) and North Africa (NA), with separate qualifiers for each sub-region running in parallel. Each will feature a single-elimination bracket with Best-of-Three matches.
Select non-partner teams will receive higher seeding in the Kickoff Qualifiers based on their 2026 competitive performance.
VCT EMEA Kickoff MENA Qualifier 1: November 1–3VCT EMEA Kickoff MENA Qualifier 2: November 9–11
Following the Kickoff Qualifiers, the two Middle East Qualifier winners will face each other in a Best-of-Five Decider match, while the two North Africa Qualifier winners will compete in a separate Best-of-Five Decider. Both Qualifier Decider matches will take place on November 20, with the winner of each advancing to the Kickoff MENA Qualifier Final.
The Kickoff MENA Qualifier Final, which will take place on December 6, will see the Middle East and North Africa representatives face off in a Best-of-Five, with the winner qualifying for VCT EMEA Kickoff. To ensure both teams can compete in a low-latency environment, the two representatives will be flown to the same location for the match.
Ready to start your run? Kickoff Qualifier 1 registration is now open: Europe [SIGN UP] | Türkiye [SIGN UP] | Middle East: [Sign Up] North Africa: [Sign Up]
Financial Support for Open Teams
There’s more than just a place at Kickoff on the line. In 2027, non-partner teams that qualify for major stages of the VCT ecosystem will receive fixed financial support based on how far they progress:
Qualify for Kickoff or a Cup: $100,000Qualify for Masters: $200,000Qualify for Champions: $400,000
Non-partner teams will also be eligible for prize pool earnings and additional incentives as they progress through the season.
The goal is to give teams meaningful support as they compete at higher levels of VCT – starting with the opportunity to earn your place at Kickoff through the VCT EMEA Kickoff Qualifiers.
Eligibility
Ready to compete? Before signing up for a Kickoff Qualifier, make sure you and your team meet the following requirements.
Player Eligibility
Players must be 17 years or older.Players must have reached Ascendant 1 or higher at the time of registration, or during the previous three acts.
Team & Roster Requirements
Non-partner teams will select their home region when registering. Once selected, teams will only be able to change regions in certain circumstances. At least three of the five starting players must be residents of the team’s home region: Europe, Türkiye or MENA.Teams must maintain at least three players on their Starting Lineup who are Residents of the Team’s Home Region as they progress through qualifiers. Teams may only have a maximum of two players on their Starting Lineup who are non-Residents. To advance to the Kickoff Qualifier Playoffs, teams must retain at least three of the five players from the roster that qualified through the respective Kickoff Qualifier.Eligibility for individual countries within each region is defined in the Competition Ruleset [LINK].
How to Sign Up
Ready to make your run? Registration for Kickoff Qualifier 1 is now open. Sign up for your region below:
Europe
Kickoff Qualifier 1 registration: October 15–28 — [SIGN UP]Kickoff Qualifier 2 registration: November 7–10 — [SIGN UP]
Türkiye
Kickoff Qualifier 1 registration: October 15–November 7 — [SIGN UP]Kickoff Qualifier 2 registration: November 11–15 — [SIGN UP]
MENA
Middle East
Kickoff Qualifier 1 registration: October 15–28 — [SIGN UP]Kickoff Qualifier 2 registration: November 3–6 — [SIGN UP]
North Africa
Kickoff Qualifier 1 registration: October 15–28 — [SIGN UP]Kickoff Qualifier 2 registration: November 3–6 — [SIGN UP]
Registration for Kickoff Qualifier 2 will open at a later date.
Keep an eye on VCT EMEA, VALORANT Arabia and VALORANT Türkiye X channels for the latest Kickoff Qualifier updates and registration information.
Finally, before registering, make sure you have:
A valid passport for every player on your teamYour team name and branding, which must not infringe on existing trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual propertyA Riot platform profile for each player for verification purposes
The first Kickoff Qualifiers kick off in November. Build your roster, choose your region and get ready to compete for your place at 2027 VCT EMEA Kickoff.