Riot Games Partners with JioBLAST to Launch VCT 2027 Kickoff Open Qualifiers in South Asia
Riot Games has partnered with JioBLAST to bring the VCT 2027 Kickoff Open Qualifiers – South Asia to the region, creating a competitive pathway for aspiring and established VALORANT teams to earn their place at Kickoff APAC.
With registrations now open, teams across South Asia have an opportunity to compete in the Open Qualifiers and take the next step towards the international VALORANT esports circuit. The initiative reflects the evolving competitive landscape of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), where teams can pursue opportunities at the highest level through competitive performance.
The registrations will remain open until 13 November 2026, at 12:00 PM. Teams must meet the minimum current rank requirement of Ascendant 1, along with all applicable age, residency, account and other eligibility requirements specified in the official tournament rulebook.
The Road to Kickoff APAC Begins Here
The competition will begin with the Open Qualifiers, taking place from 17th to 20th November 2026. Teams will compete in a Swiss Stage format, with the top eight teams advancing to the Playoffs.
The Playoffs will run from 23 to 29 November 2026, featuring an eight-team double-elimination bracket. The competition will culminate with Two qualifying teams earning the opportunity to progress to Kickoff APAC, bringing South Asia's top contenders one step closer to the wider VCT competitive ecosystem. The format offers both established teams and emerging contenders an opportunity to test their skills against the region's competition, with every match bringing them closer to a place on the next stage of their competitive journey. Fans can catch all the Playoffs action live on the official VALORANT and JioBLAST YouTube channels, alongside JioTV, as the region's top teams compete for their place on the next stage of the VCT journey.
Speaking on the announcement, Charlie Cowdrey, CEO of JioBLAST, said:
“At JioBLAST, we believe the future of esports depends on creating meaningful opportunities for emerging talent to compete, prove themselves and progress to the global stage. Our partnership with Riot Games for the VCT 2027 Kickoff Open Qualifiers reflects our commitment to strengthening South Asia’s competitive ecosystem and giving teams a clear pathway to pursue their ambitions. We look forward to seeing the region’s best talent step up, compete and seize this opportunity to make their mark. It is a great sign to see BLAST’s global relationship with Riot Games extending to India through JioBLAST.”
Adding to the announcement, Anushka Bhatnagar, Publishing Lead for Riot Games India and South Asia said:
The VCT 2027 competitive format marks an exciting step forward in making VALORANT Esports more accessible and creating meaningful opportunities for aspiring players across South Asia. With the Kickoff Open Qualifiers, we’re looking forward to seeing teams from across the region compete, showcase their skills and earn a place at Kickoff APAC. We’re pleased to partner with JioBLAST to bring this opportunity to the region and continue building the competitive ecosystem for VALORANT in South Asia.
Registration and Eligibility
Registrations for the VCT 2027 Kickoff Open Qualifiers – South Asia are now open at https://jioblast.com/vctsakickoff. Teams can sign up through the official registration form, provided all participating players meet the minimum current rank requirement of Ascendant 1 and fulfil the tournament's applicable eligibility criteria.
The registration window closes on 13 November 2026 at 12:00 PM. Teams are encouraged to register early and review the eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.
For complete details on tournament rules, player eligibility and the competitive format, refer to the official tournament website - Here
Stay tuned to JioBLAST and VALORANT Esports' official social media channels for the latest announcements, tournament updates and further information.
Ready to compete? Register now and take your first step towards Kickoff APAC.