Four spots for open-circuit teams: EMEA Kickoff qualifiers open direct access to VCT 2027

Riot Games has published the full qualification structure for VCT EMEA Kickoff 2027, reserving four spots for teams outside the partnership system. This gives open-circuit teams in Europe, Turkey, and MENA a concrete path directly into the top level of EMEA competition from the season's first tournament.

The four teams will face eight partner organisations in a combined field of twelve teams at the Kickoff, which will be held in Berlin. Europe secures two of the spots, while Turkey and MENA each receive one.

Qualification begins in November with two separate qualifier rounds across all three regions. In Europe, these take place on 5–8 and 12–15 November, in Turkey on 10–13 and 18–21 November, and in MENA on 1–3 and 9–11 November. Both European qualifiers use single-elimination brackets with best-of-three matches. The top four teams from each round advance to a 16-team playoff running from 26 November to 5 December. Here, the eight open-qualifier teams meet eight invited non-partnership teams, selected based on results in 2026. The top two teams from this playoff qualify for the Kickoff.

Turkey follows a similar model: the top two teams from each qualifier meet four invited teams in an eight-team playoff using a GSL group format, running from 25 November to 6 December. MENA splits qualification between the Middle East and North Africa. Each sub-region runs its own qualifiers, and the winners play regional best-of-five deciders on 20 November. The representatives from the Middle East and North Africa then meet in a best-of-five final on 6 December, where Riot brings both teams together physically at the same location to reduce latency differences.

Qualification now also comes with fixed support payments. Non-partnership teams receive $100,000 upon qualifying for a Kickoff or a Cup, $200,000 for Masters, and $400,000 for Champions.

To participate, players must be at least 17 years old and have reached Ascendant 1 or above. At least three of the five starting players must come from the team's chosen home region.