Riot Games confirmed in April 2026 that a new two-year VCT partnership cycle begins in 2027 across all regions, including China, with applications evaluated on community growth, fan engagement, and operational sustainability. June 2026 updates detailed VCT CN’s distinct visitor-team model, locking in eight partner teams plus two visitors and open qualifiers for Kickoff and early Cups, shifting away from prior league formats toward a tournament-heavy schedule. This structure preserves China’s separate ecosystem with promotion/relegation pathways while aligning it with the global move to eight partners per region and expanded open-team access. Recent form from 2026 VCT CN events and ongoing roster stability among established organizations like EDG, FPX, and AG continue to shape expectations around which squads secure or retain slots ahead of the 2027 cycle.