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VCT EMEA’s 2027 Kickoff qualifiers are set to send four non-partner teams to Berlin, with two spots for Europe and one each for Türkiye and MENA. The November schedule has been finalized, and teams must adhere to strict entry rules regarding player age, rank, residency, and roster continuity when registering.
In addition to the eight partnered teams, the 12-team Kickoff will also feature qualifiers from the open route. Each non-partner team that qualifies through the open qualifiers will not only secure a spot in Berlin but also receive a prize of $100,000.
Three regions, three different routes
Each region will host two open qualifiers, but the journey from these events to the Kickoff tournament will vary. The open qualifiers will use single-elimination brackets with best-of-three matches; however, the playoff, decider, and final formats will differ across regions.
- Europe: The qualifiers will take place from November 5 to 8 and 12 to 15. The top four teams from each qualifier will join eight invited non-partner teams in a 16-team double-elimination playoff. The playoff will feature best-of-three matches and a best-of-five grand final, with the top two teams securing qualification.
- Türkiye: Qualifiers will run from November 10 to 13 and 18 to 21. The top two teams from each qualifier will join four invited teams in two GSL-style groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to a double-elimination bracket, with the winner of the best-of-five final earning a spot in the Kickoff tournament.
- MENA: Qualifiers for the Middle East and North Africa will occur simultaneously from November 1 to 3 and 9 to 11. The winners from each region will face off in regional best-of-five matches, and the ultimate winner will progress to the Kickoff tournament.
The playoffs for Europe and Türkiye are scheduled for November 26 to December 5, while MENA’s qualifier decider will take place on November 20, followed by the LAN final on December 6. The final will be held in one location to ensure low-latency gameplay.
Eligibility is strict, and registration is now live
Players must be at least 17 years old and have attained Ascendant 1 rank or higher at the time of registration or during the three previous acts. When registering, teams must designate Europe, Türkiye, or MENA as their home region, with at least three out of five starting players being residents of that region. Additionally, no more than two starting players can be non-residents.
These regional requirements must be maintained as teams progress, and any team advancing to the playoffs must retain at least three players from the qualifying roster. Each player must possess a valid passport and a Riot platform profile for verification purposes, with specific eligibility criteria outlined in the competition rules. Furthermore, team names and branding must comply with existing intellectual property guidelines.
First-round registration commenced on October 15. The registration for Europe’s first qualifier will close on October 28, Türkiye’s on November 7, and both MENA sub-regions’ on October 28. Registration for the second rounds is scheduled for November 7 to 10 in Europe, November 11 to 15 in Türkiye, and November 3 to 6 in MENA.
Time is running out for the first deadlines
Teams must ensure their selected region and starting lineup before the registration deadline, as changing regions later is only permitted under specific circumstances. Some non-partner teams will receive direct invitations to the playoff stages in Europe and Türkiye, while selected MENA teams may receive higher qualifier seeding based on their performance in 2026.
The first matches will kick off in MENA on November 1, just four days before Europe’s initial qualifier. For teams vying for a spot in Berlin, thorough roster and eligibility checks are imperative before the competition begins.