VCT China Expected to Contract to Eight Partner Teams for 2027

The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) China landscape is heading for a significant shake-up. According to a report by Esports Insider, which cites details from Sheep Esports, Riot Games is planning to reduce its number of partner organizations in China from 10 down to eight for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

The Reported Lineup Changes

While Riot Games has yet to make an official announcement regarding the specific partner structure, the report suggests a clear list of teams intended to fill these eight slots. The expected lineup includes EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, TYLOO, All Gamers, Trace Esports, Xi Lai Gaming, and Weibo Gaming.

Among these, the inclusion of Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming marks a notable shift. Xi Lai Gaming is reportedly graduating to a full partner status following their 2024 Ascension victory and consistent international appearances since Masters Toronto 2025. Weibo Gaming is also expected to return to the fold after an absence that began in 2023.

Conversely, the report indicates that several current partners, including FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club, and Wolves Esports, may lose their partnership status. Dragon Ranger Gaming is also reportedly left out of the final list.

Moving Toward a More Open Circuit

This contraction reflects a broader shift across all VCT regions, as Riot aims to streamline the partner field while simultaneously opening up the competitive circuit. While fewer teams will hold direct partner status, the report highlights that organizations outside of this group will still have potential routes to qualify for major events like Cups and Masters by building successful competitive projects.

Specifics regarding how non-partner teams will navigate this path remain unclear. Esports Insider notes that the qualification mechanics for China may differ from other international regions, and because Riot has not yet finalized these rules, the reported team list should be viewed as preliminary information rather than a confirmed competitive schedule.

Why it matters

For players and fans, this shift signifies a move toward a more exclusive but potentially more merit-based tier of competition. If the partner count drops to eight, the pressure on individual organizations to maintain high-level performance becomes even more intense, as the stability of a partnership slot becomes increasingly rare.

Fans should keep an eye on how Riot defines the pathways for non-partner teams to enter the Masters circuit. As the competition for those limited partner slots tightens, the ecosystem for independent or Tier 2 teams will likely become the primary focus for those looking to disrupt the status quo. For the Chinese scene specifically, the final confirmation of these slots will determine which organizations can offer the stability needed to recruit top-tier talent for the 2027 cycle.