Valorant Masters Santiago 2026

Everything You Need to Know About Valorant Masters Santiago 2026

The road to global dominance in VCT 2026 begins in Chile. Valorant Masters Santiago 2026 is the first international LAN of the season, bringing together twelve elite teams fresh off regional Kickoff battles. With reputations on the line and early VCT Points up for grabs, Santiago is where contenders separate themselves from the pack.

Here is everything you need to know about Masters Santiago, from qualified teams to format, prize pool, and how to watch.

Masters Santiago 2026 Dates and Venue

The tournament kicks off on February 28, 2026, and runs through mid-March.

• Swiss Stage: February 28 to March 5, 2026
• Playoffs: March 6 to March 16, 2026
• Location: Espacio Riesco, Santiago, Chile

As the first global event of the year, Masters Santiago sets the competitive tone for the entire VCT season. Early momentum here can define a team’s trajectory toward Champions.

All Teams Qualified for Valorant Masters Santiago 2026

Twelve teams secured their spots through the regional Kickoff events across China, Pacific, Americas, and EMEA. Each region sends three representatives.

China

• All Gamers
• Xi Lai Gaming
• EDward Gaming

Pacific

• Nongshim RedForce
• T1
• Paper Rex

Americas

• FURIA
• G2 Esports
• NRG Esports

EMEA

• BBL Esports
• Gentle Mates
• Team Liquid

Each roster enters with different expectations. Regional champions look to confirm their dominance, while third seeds aim to disrupt the established order.

Tournament Format: Swiss Stage and Double Elimination Playoffs

Masters Santiago uses a two-phase structure designed to eliminate slow starts and reward consistency.

Direct Playoff Seeds

Four regional first seeds skip the Swiss Stage and advance straight to Playoffs:

• All Gamers
• Nongshim RedForce
• FURIA
• BBL Esports

This advantage is massive. Fewer matches mean less strategic exposure and more time to prepare.

Swiss Stage Breakdown

The remaining eight teams begin in a Swiss format:

• All matches are best of three
• Teams advance after securing two wins
• Four teams qualify for Playoffs

Opening matchups include:

• Gentle Mates vs EDward Gaming
• T1 vs Team Liquid
• G2 Esports vs Paper Rex
• Xi Lai Gaming vs NRG Esports

Swiss formats reward adaptability. A single poor map does not end a run, but inconsistency quickly becomes fatal.

Playoffs Structure

The final eight teams enter a double-elimination bracket:

• Most matches are best of three
• Lower Final and Grand Final are best of five

The extended series in the final rounds tests depth, stamina, and strategic flexibility. Teams that rely on shallow map pools often collapse here.

Prize Pool and VCT Points

Masters Santiago features a 1,000,000 USD prize pool, distributed across all twelve teams. Beyond the financial reward, VCT Points are the true currency of the season.

Points earned in Santiago directly impact qualification for Valorant Champions 2026. The winner secures the largest share of both prize money and points, along with the iconic Masters trophy featuring its illuminated core centerpiece.

Individual excellence is also recognized through an official tournament MVP award.

Professional Esports players prove their worth in a variety of ways: streaming at high ranks, providing Valorant boosting services to help players climb the ranks faster, or taking the stages that represent the ceiling of competitive performance. Masters showcases what peak execution looks like when mechanics, teamwork, and preparation align perfectly.

How to Watch Masters Santiago 2026

Fans can catch the action live on the official VALORANT Champions Tour Twitch and YouTube channels. Coverage includes full match broadcasts, analyst desks, and post-match breakdowns.

Co-streamers also provide alternative perspectives and community-driven commentary. Popular names such as Tarik and TenZ are expected to host watch parties throughout the event.

Matches run from February 28 through March 15, covering both Swiss and Playoffs stages.

Pick’Ems and In Game Rewards

Masters Santiago also features Pick’Ems, allowing fans to predict match outcomes and bracket progressions.

Rewards are tied to prediction accuracy and final percentile ranking. High-performing participants can unlock exclusive in-game titles and cosmetic items.

For players focused on improving through practice, coaching, or even Valorant boosting services to reach competitive milestones, following Pick’Ems closely can help sharpen analytical skills. Studying matchups, map pools, and team tendencies provides insight into the strategic layer of professional play.

The Summit of VCT 2026

This is more than just another international LAN. It is the first global checkpoint of VCT 2026. Early champions often carry momentum into the rest of the season, while early exits force teams into immediate adjustments.

Masters Santiago will reveal which regions adapted best in the offseason, which rosters truly upgraded, and which squads still need refinement.

By mid March, one team will lift the trophy in Chile. The rest will return home with lessons learned and a long road back to the top.

 

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