Riot's April 2026 announcement of a new two-year VCT partnership cycle beginning in 2027, with applications now open for prospective teams, has shaped trader views on VCT CN outcomes. China maintains a distinct structure featuring eight partner teams plus two visitor teams and open qualifiers for Kickoff events, preserving promotion and relegation pathways unlike other regions. Recent June updates detailed evaluation criteria including community growth, business sustainability, and competitive performance, while confirming partner benefits such as direct event entry and base payments. Established CN squads like EDward Gaming and Bilibili Gaming face roster stability questions heading into the 2026 season finale, with any late roster moves or ascension results potentially shifting implied probabilities around which organizations secure renewed partnerships.