VCT China Partnership 2027: Eight Slots, Open Doors, and an Uncertain Future

A major discussion has emerged around the 2027-2028 partnership cycle of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) China. According to a Sheep Esports report, Riot Games is set to reduce the number of partner teams in China from ten to eight while simultaneously planning to make the 2027 competitive year more open. However, Riot Games has not yet made any official announcement, so all information should currently be treated as a single-source report. The report states that in the next cycle, EDward Gaming, Xi Lai Gaming, Weibo Gaming, JD Gaming, Bilibili Gaming, TYLOO, All Gamers, and Trace Esports could remain as partners. On the other hand, FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club, Wolves Esports, and Dragon Ranger Gaming may miss out. This list is not based purely on competitive performance; it also involves brand value, financial stability, and long-term investment capacity. The inclusion of EDward Gaming is the least controversial. They won VALORANT Champions 2026, China's only international title in the current circuit. Xi Lai Gaming won Ascension 2026, was promoted from a guest slot to partner, and has since attended every major international event. This proves that the Ascension pathway works not just on paper but in reality. However, the biggest controversy surrounds Wolves Esports. Despite a surprise showing at Masters Toronto 2026, they may reportedly be excluded from the partnership. Meanwhile, Weibo Gaming missed a slot in 2026, left VALORANT, but returned in early 2026 and secured a partner spot. Comparing these two cases shows that commercial factors are being weighted more heavily than competitive success in team selection. This decision by Riot Games is not just for China but part of a coordinated reform across the entire circuit. The number of partners is being reduced from ten to eight in the Americas, EMEA, and Pacific as well. Therefore, viewing China's change as a separate punishment would be incorrect. The first partnership cycle, which began in 2026, will end after the 2026 season, and 2027-2028 will be the second cycle. Thus, slot reallocation is part of the normal process. The report further states that China's format may differ from the other three regions, and the qualification rules for non-partner teams have not yet been finalized. Riot has said that non-partner teams can still qualify for Cups and Masters by building successful projects. But how realistic this opportunity will be depends on Riot's forthcoming rules. From a financial perspective, losing a partner slot means not only losing competitive access but also a significant loss of revenue sharing, sponsorship, and brand value. The exclusion of established brands like FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, and Titan Esports Club signals a generational turnover in China's esports scene. Meanwhile, Weibo Gaming's return highlights the influence of big capital and brand power. Administrative transparency is a major question here. Riot Games is simultaneously the rule-maker, commercial stakeholder, and slot allocator. There is no independent third party for partner selection. Consequently, without clear criteria for team selection, dissatisfaction may grow among fans. The controversy over Wolves' exclusion and Weibo's inclusion could become particularly intense. Overall, this report paints a picture of structural and commercial reform, where the tension between competitive merit and commercial value is evident. Until Riot's final announcement, this situation should be seen as a potential change, not a final decision. This 2027 cycle is giving birth to new teams, new rules, and new expectations in China's VALORANT scene.