VCT 2027 integrity rules: Riot's anti-cheat plan

Riot has published a detailed VCT 2027 integrity plan. Open Qualifiers will require Vanguard compliance and Ascendant+ rank. Online play is coming back. Player streams will need a delay of at least two minutes.

On November 5, Riot posted “Protecting Competitive Integrity in VCT 2027”. It says 2027 brings more teams and more ways to qualify. Online competition returns too.

What do the VCT 2027 integrity rules cover?

Riot's aim is not just to punish cheaters afterwards. It wants to make it harder to enter competition in the first place. So hardware and software security requirements get stricter. Account eligibility rules become clearer.

How do checks grow as teams advance?

Riot built the rules to scale. Every match gets a baseline of protection. Oversight grows as teams advance. Early rounds lean on automated anti-cheat and post-match reports. Later stages bring referee oversight.

Officials can ask for extra checks. They may review setups, request recordings or require teams to stream their match area. Confirmed violations lead to sanctions such as disqualification and competitive suspensions.

Account history matters too. Riot says players with accounts in good standing can compete. Accounts may still face extra review. Previously banned accounts are tied to the 30-day limit above.

Players, coaches and teams can report suspicious activity through official channels. Serious cases go to Riot Esports Compliance. Riot also says it will not announce every investigation. Not every allegation will be proven.

How will streaming, coaches and online play work?

Riot wants players to stream. But watching a stream can give a team an edge. So player POV streams need a delay of at least two minutes. Third-party creators who want to co-stream need approval from the tournament organizer.

Coach communication changes by stage. In early stages, coaches may talk to players. In later stages of cup qualifiers, communication will be monitored under today's VCT rules.

Online matches bring connection issues. Riot says players are responsible for their own setups. The Online Play Rulebook will cover technical pauses and server selection. With hundreds of teams playing at once, officials cannot pause a whole tournament.

How will Championship Points and rosters work?

In 2027, Championship Points spread across nearly every level. Open Qualifiers, Kickoff, Cups and Masters will all award points. They will not count equally. Success at the top level carries far more weight. Points will help decide who qualifies for Champions.

Roster stability matters too. Teams generally need to keep three of five players to preserve points and progress. Riot also takes a hard line on match-fixing and betting misconduct. Suspicions go through official channels, not public speculation.

What does this mean for players?

The door to pro play is opening wider. It comes with conditions. You will need Vanguard compliance, the right rank and a clean account history. Regional rules will be published separately. Read your region's rulebook before you register.

For more on the scene, see our VCT 2027 offseason roundup, our VCT Pacific roster moves post and our Forca Barca roster story.

Frequently asked questions

What rank is needed to enter Open Qualifiers?

Riot says every player on a team must have peaked at Ascendant or higher in the last six months.

Is there a new rule for players who stream?

Yes. Starting with Open Qualifiers, player POV livestreams must run with a delay of at least two minutes.

Does a team lose its progress if it changes players?

Riot says teams will generally need to keep at least three of five players to preserve progress. The final rules are still being set.

Sources

• Riot Games: Protecting Competitive Integrity in VCT 2027
• VALORANT Patch Notes 13.09
• VALORANT Patch Notes 13.08