Riot unveiled its 2025 VCT season, which now features twelve-team leagues, and a January to October competitive calendar. With the new season also comes changes to distribution of Championship Points, qualification for global events, and expanded formats.
The full overview is below with edits and can also be read here.
The new 48-team VCT. (Photo by Riot Games)
Kickoff tournaments
Important Dates
- January 11: China Kickoff
- January 15: EMEA Kickoff
- January 16: Americas Kickoff
- January 18: Pacific Kickoff
VCT's first-ever 48-team season will begin in January with regional Kickoff tournaments. In 2025, the Kickoff Tournament will be a 12-team double-elimination bracket, with the top four teams from the 2024 season receiving a bye into the second round. The top two teams will advance to Masters Bangkok.
Global Events Schedule
The full 2025 VCT schedule. (Photo by Riot Games)
Masters Bangkok (February 20 - March 2)
- Bangkok, much like Masters Madrid in 2024, will feature an eight-team Swiss Stage, followed by a four-team double-elimination bracket.
Masters Toronto (June 7 - June 22)
- Similar to Masters Shanghai, Masters Toronto will host the top three teams from the Stage 1 Playoffs of each league. League champions will receive a bye into the playoffs, which come after an eight-team Swiss Stage.
Champions Paris (September 12 - October 5)
- Champions Paris will have the "top teams from Stage 2, Championship Points, and global events." The format will feature four four-team groups, which is followed by an eight-team double-elimination bracket.
New in 2025
- Expanded Calendar: More time between events, ensuring better pacing for teams.
- Increased Matches:
- Minimum: 12 matches per team
- Average: 18 matches per team
- Maximum: 23 matches per team (before global events)
- Stage Resets: Stages will have two groups of six per stage, bringing new matchups past the mid-season point.
- Playoff Expansion: Eight-team double-elimination playoffs in regional leagues for longer team survival.
Championship Points System
A revamped Championship Points System. (Photo by Riot Games)
- Deeper Distribution: Points are awarded to the top teams at every stage and global event.
- New Qualification Paths:
- Two teams qualify for Champions through Stage 2 Playoffs.
- Two teams qualify as Champions based on Championship Points.
Championship Points per event
Kickoff
- Winner: 3 points
- Runners-up: 2 points
- Third place: 1 point
- Fourth place: 1 point
Masters Bangkok
- Winner: 5 points
- Runners-up: 3 points
- Third place: 2 points
- Fourth place: 1 point
Stage 1
- 1 point per match win
Stage 1 Playoffs
- Winner: 5 points
- Runners-up: 3 points
- Third place: 2 points
- Fourth place: 1 point
Masters Toronto
- Winner: 7 points
- Runners-up: 5 points
- Third place: 4 points
- Fourth place: 3 points
- Fifth place: 2 points
- Sixth place: 2 points
Stage 2
- 1 point per match win
Stage 2 Playoffs
- Winner: 7 points
- Runners-up: 5 points
- Third place: 4 points
- Fourth place: 3 points
Discord