Overview

VCT Masters Santiago 2026 is the first global event of the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour season. It brings together 12 teams over 16 days to decide the first Masters champion of the year and the tenth Masters titleholder overall. The event features teams from four regions, each sending three representatives based on results from their regional Kickoff tournaments.

Dates and Location

The tournament runs from February 28 to March 15 in Santiago, Chile. All matches take place at Espacio Riesco, a large convention and exhibition venue in the city. The schedule spans weekdays and weekends to accommodate the full set of matches across the various stages.

Teams and Qualification

A total of 12 teams compete, with three teams qualified from each of the four regions through Stage 1 Kickoff events. These Kickoff tournaments determined the first set of international contenders for the season. The structure ensures balanced regional representation and early cross-regional matchups to test rosters built in the offseason.

Tournament Format

The event opens with a Swiss Stage that runs from February 28 to March 4. The Swiss system matches teams with others holding similar records after each round, aiming to pair squads on comparable form as the stage progresses. This approach helps surface consistent performers while giving teams multiple chances to adapt and respond to early results.

After the Swiss Stage, the tournament moves into bracket play. The schedule includes lower bracket matches, a Lower Bracket Final, and a Grand Final, indicating a format with elimination and a second-chance path for teams that drop into the lower side of the bracket. Specific seeding rules, match formats, and exact advancement thresholds are tied to the event regulations for this edition.

Prize Pool

The prize pool for VCT Masters Santiago 2026 is $1,000,000 USD. Distribution across placements follows the event’s official guidelines. In addition to prize money, results at this event play into the broader competitive season and future qualification milestones.

Daily Schedule and On-Site Timings

Doors open at 1:30 PM on weekdays and at 12:00 PM on weekends. Show start times are 3:00 PM on weekdays and 2:00 PM on weekends. On-site activities close midway through the second match on days that feature two best-of-three series. On days with a best-of-five, on-site activities close at 6:30 PM. These timings help match operations stay aligned across the full match day, from doors to final map.

Path to Champions

Masters Santiago is a key step on the road to the season’s world championship event. Results from this tournament contribute to the qualification pathway for Champions Shanghai, slated for September or October 2026. Champions will feature 16 teams, and strong performances at Masters help teams secure their place or improve their standing toward that goal.

Competitive Context

This event is the first major meeting of international teams in the 2026 season. With four regions represented, it offers a clear early measure of regional strength and the effectiveness of roster changes made during the offseason. It also provides a look at how teams interpret the current patch, map pool, and agent choices on a global stage.

• Swiss Stage matchups are shaped by ongoing results, so early wins can create more manageable paths.
• Lower bracket rounds give strong teams a chance to recover from a single bad day.
• The final weekend includes the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, where endurance and preparation often decide close series.

What to Watch For

• Regional head-to-heads: With three teams from each region, early cross-regional matches offer an immediate comparison of playstyles and preparation.
• Adaptation across days: The 16-day schedule rewards teams that can review opponents quickly, refine strategies, and manage fatigue.
• Map and agent trends: Picks, bans, and role swaps can signal how the global meta is settling at the start of the season.
• Late-stage resilience: Teams coming through the lower bracket often face longer match days and must manage stamina in best-of-five settings.

Event Structure at a Glance

• Dates: February 28–March 15
• Venue: Espacio Riesco, Santiago, Chile
• Teams: 12 (3 per region, four regions total)
• Opening Stage: Swiss system (February 28–March 4)
• Final Rounds: Include Lower Bracket Final (March 13–14) and Grand Final (March 15)
• Prize Pool: $1,000,000 USD
• Doors: 1:30 PM weekdays, 12:00 PM weekends
• Show Start: 3:00 PM weekdays, 2:00 PM weekends

Across its 16 days, VCT Masters Santiago 2026 sets the tone for the competitive year. It confirms which teams and regions start strong, which strategies hold up under pressure, and who can carry momentum toward Champions Shanghai later in the season.