Mar 17, 2026 12:00 am
The 2026 VALORANT Game Changers tournament will feature a total prize pool of $150,000, distributed across multiple marquee events throughout the year. Each stage’s Main Event will also award Game Changers Championship Circuit Points, which will determine North America’s representative and Last Chance Qualifier participant at the end of the season.
March – June 2026:
STAGE 1 – Open Qualifier (32 Teams per Qualifier):
- Open Qualifier #1: March 17 – 18, 20 – 21
- Open Qualifier #2: March 31 – April 1, April 3 – 4
STAGE 1 – Swiss Stage (16 Teams):
- Seven (7) rounds played over five (5) weeks: April 15, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 13, May 18, May 20
STAGE 1 – Main Event (8 Teams):
- Eight (8) team Double Elimination bracket: May 29 – 31, June 3 – 5
The regular season will run in two identical stages, both with their own $65,000 prize pool and both with Game Changers Championship points. Stage 1 kicks off in February and runs through May. The top two (2) teams from Game Changers NA 2025, Shopify Rebellion (1 seed) and Wadadaa (2 seed) will receive direct invites to Swiss Stage 1.
Teams have their opportunity to earn a place in Stage 1 through two Open Qualifiers, where up to thirty-two (32) teams can enter per Qualifier. Each Qualifier lasts four days. The top six (6) teams from Open Qualifier 1 will advance to the Swiss Stage. The top eight (8) teams from Open Qualifier 2 will advance to the Swiss Stage.
The Swiss Stage operates over five (5) to six (6) weeks, with seven (7) match nights. During the Swiss Stage, we’ll offer an “Observer-Only” broadcast where Co-Streamers are welcomed to leverage the clean feed for their own channels, and a “Match of the Week” broadcast with casters. From the Swiss Stage, teams compete for one of eight (8) spots in the Main Event.
The stage will wrap with a Main Event that mirrors the established format and broadcast experience of previous Main Events, complete with a full talent desk, elevated production, player content, and broadcast across the VALORANT Americas channels.
Top placing teams will earn a share of the $65,000 prize pool and coveted Game Changers Championship Circuit Points, which is what is needed to compete on the international stage at the end of the year.
In an effort to ensure high performing teams are rewarded for their consistency, the top eight (8) teams from the Stage 1 will auto qualify for Stage 2 Swiss, thus being able to skip Open Qualifier #3 / #4. The top four (4) teams from Open Qualifier #3 / #4 will advance to Swiss Stage 2.
Prize Pool: $65,000 per Stage & Game Changers Championship Circuit Points