VCT Stage 1 begins to shape the road to Masters London

The new phase of the 2026 VALORANT season is now underway, with VCT EMEA Stage 1 having started on April 1 and VCT Americas Stage 1 set to begin on April 10, as teams fight for places at Masters London, the next major international event on the calendar.

For readers less familiar with the scene, the VALORANT Champions Tour is Riot Games’ official global esports system. Teams first compete in their regional leagues, and the best of them qualify for international tournaments. Stage 1 is important because it directly determines which teams will advance to Masters London, scheduled for June 6 to June 21 at the Copper Box Arena, where 12 teams from the main VCT regions will compete.

In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, VCT EMEA Stage 1 began on April 1 and will run until the final on May 17. Riot says three EMEA teams will qualify for Masters London. The format starts with 12 teams split into two groups, followed by playoffs that decide the region’s three representatives.

In the Americas, the next major regional stage begins on April 10. Riot’s official guide says the league also features 12 teams divided into two groups of six, with the top four from each group advancing to a double-elimination playoff bracket. Just like in EMEA, only three teams from the Americas league will earn places at Masters London.

That makes the coming weeks especially important for the wider VALORANT season. For top teams, Stage 1 is the gateway to the next global spotlight. For newer viewers, it is also one of the easiest moments to follow the scene, because the stakes are simple and immediate: perform well in your region, or miss one of the year’s biggest tournaments.