Eight teams reportedly set for VCT China partnership in 2027 and 2028
A report names eight prospective VCT China partners for 2027 and 2028, with Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming joining as Riot Games has yet to confirm the list.
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Eight organisations are reportedly set to receive VALORANT Champions Tour China partner slots for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, with Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming joining six existing partners. Riot Games has not confirmed the list or announced full details of the China format.
According to a report by Sheep Esports, the proposed partners are EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, TYLOO, All Gamers, Trace Esports, Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming. FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club and Wolves Esports are the four current partners reported to be missing out.
Two additions to the reported line-up
Xi Lai Gaming held a guest slot in VCT China and won Ascension in 2024. It has played at every international LAN since Masters Toronto 2025 and is now expected to become a full partner for two seasons.
Weibo Gaming competed in VALORANT from the game’s launch in 2020 until partner slots were introduced in 2023. It did not secure a place then and later left the scene, before returning in early 2026. Milan “Milan” de Meij joined its current project as head coach in July, after more than a year and a half with Fnatic.
Among the existing partners on the reported list, EDward Gaming won the 2024 VALORANT World Championship. TYLOO and JD Gaming qualified for the recent Champions event in Shanghai, where both had mixed results.
Four current partners could miss out
FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club and Wolves Esports are reported to be outside the next partnership cycle. Dragon Ranger Gaming, which held a guest slot, was not selected either.
Wolves was a surprise side at Masters Toronto 2025, but missing a partner slot would not necessarily end its participation in VALORANT. Teams outside the partnership group can still try to qualify for Cups and Masters events through the more open circuit.
Qualification route awaits confirmation
Riot’s first partnership cycle began in 2023 and ends after the 2026 season. Under the planned structure, each of the four regions — EMEA, Americas, Pacific and China — will have eight partner teams instead of 10, making 32 in total.
Partners will continue to receive a base payment and revenue from in-game team capsules. The report says China’s Kickoff event will feature 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 route for teams without partner status remains uncertain because Riot has not set out China’s qualification rules in full. Until it announces the teams and format, the reported line-up is not final.
Source: Talk Esport. This article was compiled by the iBET.news newsroom from the source report and other public information.
