VCT China 2027 Partnership Plans: Top Team Changes and a Shift Toward Open Competition

A recent report has surfaced regarding the partnership structure for the VCT China region for the 2027-2028 season. According to a Sheep Esports report, Riot Games is set to reduce the number of permanent partners in China from 10 to 8 in the next cycle. Simultaneously, there are plans to make the competitive year more open, where non-partner teams may also get opportunities to play in Cups and Masters events. However, this report has not yet been officially confirmed by Riot Games. Therefore, all information should be treated as preliminary. The report states that EDward Gaming (EDG), the 2026 VALORANT Champions winner, will remain a partner in the new cycle. The inclusion of this team, holder of China's only international title, is the least controversial. Additionally, Xi Lai Gaming, the 2026 Ascension champion, is being promoted from a guest slot to a permanent partner. This proves the effectiveness of the Ascension pathway. On the other hand, Weibo Gaming, which missed a slot in 2026, left VALORANT, and is returning in early 2026, is reportedly regaining a partner spot. The most discussed aspect, however, is the exclusion of some established teams. FunPlus Phoenix, Nova Esports, Titan Esports Club, and Wolves Esports are reportedly losing partnership in the next cycle. Wolves Esports recently showed a surprise performance at Masters Toronto 2026, yet they are being excluded. Meanwhile, Dragon Ranger Gaming failed to convert its guest slot into a partnership. Analyzing this decision reveals a clear tension—competitive results versus commercial value. The exclusion of Wolves and the inclusion of Weibo suggest that financial stability, brand size, and multi-title infrastructure are valued more than short-term results in partner selection. For EDG and Xi Lai Gaming, however, merit-based judgment is clear. Riot Games is reducing partner numbers across all regions globally. China is no exception. So this is not a separate demotion signal for China, but part of a global structural reform. The report notes that China's format may differ from the other three regions. The qualification rules for non-partner teams have not yet been finalized. Partnership is a two-year agreement that provides teams with revenue and access security. For excluded teams, this is a major financial blow. Risks include sponsorship renegotiation, staff downsizing, and division closure. Conversely, revenue sharing for the eight partners may increase. From a governance perspective, Riot is simultaneously the rule-maker, commercial stakeholder, and slot allocator. There is no independent third-party arbitration. Selection criteria have not been publicly announced. Thus, the lack of transparency is a major concern. Regarding fan reaction, anger may arise over the exclusion of Wolves, FunPlus Phoenix, and Nova, as these teams have large fanbases. The inclusion of Weibo may spark a 'brand versus merit' debate. Overall, this change marks the beginning of a new era in the Chinese VALORANT scene. There is optimism as the Ascension pathway remains open for young talents. However, everything is uncertain until Riot's official announcement. Teams have limited time to prepare. From a competitive standpoint, China's only international title is held by EDG. This success has positively influenced partner selection. But China's overall international performance still lags behind the Americas and Europe. The entire community is now looking forward to Riot Games' official announcement in the coming days. That announcement will ultimately determine who stays, who goes, and how non-partner teams can find a path back.