Riot Games opened applications for a new two-year VCT partnership cycle in April 2026 and confirmed in June that VCT Pacific will feature exactly eight partner teams starting with the 2027 Kickoff, down from ten. Selection emphasizes community growth, fandom resonance, and sustainable operations alongside competitive results. Current Pacific organizations such as Paper Rex, DRX, T1, Gen.G, and ZETA DIVISION have established regional footprints, while expanded open qualifiers across Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and a Southeast Asia wild card create clearer pathways for non-partner squads to challenge for slots. No further partner announcements or major roster moves have surfaced since the mid-June structural update, leaving trader focus on which established orgs best meet Riot’s non-competitive criteria ahead of expected decisions later in 2026.