VCT 2027 Partner Teams: BBL and FUT In, Eternal Fire Out

The VCT 2027 partner teams are official: on October 22, 2026 Riot Games named 32 teams, eight per region. Turkey's BBL Esports and FUT Esports took two of EMEA's eight seats, while Eternal Fire was left out.

Key facts

• Announced: October 22, 2026 (Riot Games)
• Total: 32 partners, eight per region (Americas, EMEA, Pacific, China)
• EMEA partners: Team Heretics, BBL Esports, Fnatic, Team Vitality, Team Liquid, Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp, FUT Esports
• Not selected in EMEA: Movistar KOI, Barça eSports, GIANTX, NAVI, Eternal Fire
• Partnership term: two-year, renewable cycles
• Kickoff: January 14 - February 7, 2027, 12 teams per region (8 partners + 4 qualifiers)
• Free agency opens: November 3, 2026

How were the VCT 2027 partner teams chosen?

According to Riot's official announcement, the selection process began earlier this year and drew more than 100 applications from organizations around the world. Finalists were interviewed one by one by global and regional esports leaders. Five criteria carried the decision: commitment to growing the Valorant community, fan and content traction, business sustainability and responsible management, operational capability, and competitive success. Riot is clear that results matter, but the heaviest weight went to clubs that can keep building a fanbase for years.

The decision came as partner slots dropped from ten to eight per region. Every region lost two seats, which made the race tighter than ever. In the end, 32 clubs across four regions became Riot partners for a two-year cycle.

What do partner teams actually get?

Partners receive annual financial support over two-year, renewable cycles. They earn revenue from in-game items such as Team and Season Capsules and the Championship bundle, and they can unlock incentives tied to how much they help grow Valorant esports. They also get direct entry to VCT Kickoff at the start of the 2027 season. That guarantee ends with Kickoff, though: afterwards partners compete on equal terms with teams coming through the open qualifiers. Tickets to Cups, Masters and Champions are earned only on the server.

A big win for Turkey: BBL and FUT make EMEA

According to the full list compiled by Sheep Esports, EMEA's eight partners are Team Heretics, BBL Esports, Fnatic, Team Vitality, Team Liquid, Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp and FUT Esports. One in every four seats in the region went to a Turkish organization. That says a lot about how much weight Riot places on the Turkish Valorant scene, both for its fanbase and for the quality of its organizations.

Both clubs bring an international track record. FUT Esports made a memorable run to the Masters Shanghai playoffs in 2024, while BBL has been a fixture of EMEA for years, including its Lock In 2023 clash with DRX.

Who are the partners in the other regions?

In the Americas, the partners are LOUD, G2 Esports, NRG, Sentinels, KRÜ, LEVIATÁN, MIBR and 100 Thieves. Pacific has Team RRQ, FULL SENSE, T1, Paper Rex, Crazy Raccoon, ZETA Division, Gen.G and GAM Esports. China's partners are Xi Lai Gaming, Weibo Gaming, EDward Gaming, TYLOO, All Gamers, Trace Esports, Bilibili Gaming and JD Gaming.

What happens to Eternal Fire in VCT 2027?

On the other side of the coin is Eternal Fire. The club competed in VCT EMEA in 2026 and made it to the final stage of the selection, but missed the cut. In a statement reported by Sheep Esports, Eternal Fire said it will keep investing in the ecosystem, develop new talent and compete at the highest level. In other words, the club is not leaving Valorant and will take the new open path instead.

Movistar KOI, Barça eSports, GIANTX and NAVI were also left out in EMEA. Barça eSports has reportedly built a 2027 roster that includes Yusuf Emre "Proxh" Tunç and will compete officially even without partnership. GIANTX said it will announce its decision within days.

Teams leaving Valorant

For some clubs the decision meant an exit. India's Global Esports announced it is ending all competitive operations just weeks after winning its first VCT trophy at Pacific Stage 2. S8UL Esports and RIDDLE are withdrawing from Valorant, and in EMEA, FOKUS has closed its Valorant division. Cloud9, Nongshim RedForce and KIWOOM DRX, on the other hand, have confirmed they will stay in the open circuit.

What does the new VCT system change for players and fans?

Riot's 2027 plan is built around a tournament-first approach. The season will feature more than 50 tournaments across Opens, Kickoff, Cups, Masters and Champions, replacing long league stretches with events where every match matters. Regional Opens give local teams new paths to Cups and international events, and teams coming through qualifiers receive guaranteed participation payments.

• Kickoff qualifiers begin in November 2026
• Regional Kickoff runs January 14 - February 7, 2027 with 12 teams (8 partners + 4 qualifiers)
• Cups replace Stages, and Cup results decide Masters and Champions spots
• Game Changers will now conclude at Champions
• The season spans 15 cities, and a new esports bundle centers on the Ghost

For players, the key date is November 3, when free agency opens and non-partner clubs start racing to build rosters. Thanks to the open qualifiers, any team that assembles a strong lineup has a route to Kickoff and the Cups beyond. For a refresher on how the old system played out, see our VCT Champions history.

Related reading

• VCT Champions History: 2021, 2022 and 2023
• BBL vs DRX: VCT Lock In 2023 Result
• FUT Esports in the Valorant Masters Shanghai Playoffs

FAQ

Who are the VCT 2027 EMEA partner teams?

Team Heretics, BBL Esports, Fnatic, Team Vitality, Team Liquid, Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp and FUT Esports.

Is Eternal Fire a VCT 2027 partner?

No. Eternal Fire reached the final stage but was not selected. The club says it will keep investing and compete at the highest level.

How long does a VCT partnership last?

Partnerships run in two-year, renewable cycles. The first cycle covers the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Sources

• Valorant Esports (Riot Games): Introducing the VCT 2027 Partner Teams
• Valorant Esports (Riot Games): VCT 2027: The Global Tour
• Sheep Esports: All the VCT partnered teams for 2027-2028
• Sheep Esports: Teams left out of the VCT partnership