The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) China is reportedly set for a major partnership reshuffle ahead of the 2027 season. According to a report by Sheep Esports, eight organisations are expected to secure partnership slots for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, with two new additions joining the group and four current partners reportedly missing out.
Riot Games has not officially confirmed the reported lineup, meaning the selections should be treated as unconfirmed for now.
Eight Organisations Reportedly Set for Partnership
The reported lineup includes six organisations expected to retain their existing partner status, alongside two additions. The eight teams are:
EDward Gaming
JD Gaming
Bilibili Gaming
TYLOO
All Gamers
Trace Esports
Xi Lai Gaming
Weibo Gaming
The changes would reduce the number of partner organisations from ten to eight in China, aligning the region with the planned structure for the other VCT regions.
Xi Lai Gaming and Weibo Gaming Among the Additions
Xi Lai Gaming, also known as XLG, is reportedly moving from a guest slot into the partnership programme. The organisation rose through Ascension in 2024 and has since established itself as a competitive presence in the international VALORANT circuit.
Weibo Gaming is the other reported addition. The organisation previously competed in VALORANT but did not secure a partnership slot when Riot introduced the programme in 2023. It later returned to the scene in early 2026.
Their reported inclusion would mark a significant change in the Chinese competitive landscape, particularly for Weibo Gaming as it seeks to strengthen its position in the region.
Four Current Partners Reportedly Miss Out
The report names FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club and Wolves Esports as the four current partners expected to lose their status for the next cycle. Dragon Ranger Gaming, which held a guest slot, is also reportedly absent from the new lineup.
However, losing partnership status would not necessarily mean these organisations must leave VALORANT esports. Under the more open competitive structure planned for 2027, non-partner teams are expected to retain routes towards major events through qualification opportunities. The precise qualification system for China remains unclear.
What the Reported Changes Mean for VCT China
The partnership reshuffle could reshape the region's competitive opportunities and the organisations receiving long-term support. Partner teams benefit from financial support and revenue generated through in-game team capsules, making selection important for their future plans.
For now, the reported lineup remains unconfirmed. Riot Games has yet to announce the final VCT China partnership selections or clarify all the details of the region's 2027 format. Fans and organisations will need to wait for an official announcement before treating the reported list as final.
