Riot's April 2026 overhaul established eight partner teams for VCT CN starting in 2027 under a two-year cycle, with applications evaluated on community growth, fan engagement, and operational sustainability. The region retains its visitor team model alongside open qualifiers, granting the eight partners plus two visitors direct entry into Kickoff and early Cups while preserving promotion pathways. No official selections have been confirmed as of early August 2026, leaving current VCT CN performers such as EDG, BLG, and Weibo Gaming as frontrunners based on recent circuit results and organizational stability. Selection timing and any late roster or sponsorship developments could still shift outcomes ahead of the 2027 season.