Event Overview

VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 is the first international event of the VCT 2026 season. It brings together 12 teams, with the top three from each of the four partnered regions: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. The event takes place in Santiago, Chile, from February 28 to March 15.

The tournament uses a two-phase structure. Eight teams start in a Swiss Stage. These are the second and third seeds from each region’s Kickoff. Four teams begin later in the Playoffs as top seeds. These are the #1 finishers from each regional Kickoff. The Playoffs are an eight-team double-elimination bracket. The prize pool is $1,000,000 USD.

Format Explained

The Swiss Stage features eight teams paired each round against opponents with similar records. The goal is to reach a set number of wins and qualify for the Playoffs. Teams that reach a set number of losses are eliminated. This stage decides which four teams join the four regional #1 seeds in the Playoffs.

The Playoffs use a double-elimination format with eight teams. A loss sends a team to the lower bracket, where a second loss ends their run. The four Kickoff #1 seeds enter the Playoffs as top seeds, which protects them from early elimination risk in the Swiss Stage and separates them on the bracket at the start.

Confirmed Teams and Seeding Status

As of mid-February 2026, several spots are locked based on regional Kickoff results. Some regions are fully decided, while others are completing lower bracket matches and placement series.

VCT China

• #1 All Gamers (AG): Won the Upper Bracket Final 3-2 over Xi Lai Gaming. This is AG’s international debut. As a #1 seed, AG qualifies directly to the Playoffs.
• #2 Xi Lai Gaming (XLG): Took the second seed with a 3-2 Middle Bracket win over Bilibili Gaming after losing the Upper Final. This marks their third international appearance.
• #3 EDward Gaming (EDG): Claimed the third seed via a lower bracket run, defeating Bilibili Gaming 3-2 in the Lower Final. This follows a challenging 2025 season and returns EDG to the global stage.

VCT Pacific

• #1 Nongshim RedForce (NS RedForce): Won the Pacific Kickoff, taking their first #1 seed as a VCT team after joining through 2025 Ascension. They secured the title with a 3-2 Upper Bracket Final win over Rex Regum Qeon, showing poise in a five-map series.
• #2 Unconfirmed: Some listings have shown “Edward Gaming” as the Pacific #2 seed, but that name overlaps with EDward Gaming from China. This appears to be a listing error or an unverified entry. The official Pacific #2 has not been confirmed in the available results referenced here.
• #3 To be decided: Matches are ongoing, with Paper Rex noted in recent contests. Final placement will be set after remaining lower bracket series.

VCT Americas

• #1 FURIA: Secured the top seed with a 3-2 Grand Final win over MIBR. Map scores were Bind 8-13, Abyss 13-8, Haven 13-11, Breeze 2-13, Split 13-8. FURIA reached the final through an undefeated upper bracket, including wins against Sentinels and G2. This is FURIA’s first-ever Masters qualification.
• #2 and #3 To be decided: MIBR remains in contention and has additional chances against G2 for placement. Final seeds will be confirmed after the remaining matches conclude.

VCT EMEA

• #1 BBL Esports: Earned the top seed after a strong run building from their Ascension success and subsequent entry into the league. They move directly to the Playoffs as a #1 seed.
• #2 Gentle Mates: Locked in the second seed.
• #3 To be decided: The final EMEA spot is pending the outcome of the remaining matches.

Key Dates and What Is Still Pending

By February 13–15, several top seeds were locked: China completed all three qualifiers, and the Pacific and Americas #1 seeds were decided. EMEA still has one open spot, and the remaining Pacific and Americas seeds will be decided in lower bracket and placement matches leading up to the event.

Some tracking pages list possible EMEA qualifiers such as Fnatic, Team Liquid, and Team Vitality, but these remain unconfirmed until regional matches finish and official results are published.

Storylines to Watch

• FURIA: After struggles in 2025, FURIA turned a clean upper bracket run into a Grand Final win. Their first Masters berth highlights a sharp competitive rise.
• Nongshim RedForce: As a team that joined the league through Ascension, taking the Pacific #1 seed is a milestone. Their five-map win over RRQ showed late-series stability.
• China’s Mix: All Gamers enters international play for the first time, while EDward Gaming returns with veteran status. The region blends a new challenger (AG) with established names like EDG, the 2024 Champions.

What Masters Santiago Means for Teams

For the four regional #1 seeds, starting in the Playoffs helps reduce early risk and provides more prep time for specific opponents. For #2 and #3 seeds, the Swiss Stage is a chance to build momentum and refine maps under stage pressure before the bracket phase. Because the Playoffs are double elimination, teams have room to adjust after a loss, but early missteps still carry weight as the lower bracket path is longer and more demanding.

With all regions sending three teams, the event will show how off-season changes, new rosters, and promotion through Ascension have reshaped the field. As remaining seeds are confirmed, brackets and first opponents will clarify, setting the tone for the season’s first international test in Santiago.