VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 is set to kick off as the first international VCT event of the year, bringing 12 teams to Chile for two weeks of high-stakes competition. After regional Kickoff tournaments wrapped across Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China, the focus now shifts to Santiago, where Championship Points, prize money and serious early-season momentum are on the line.
Running from February 28 to March 15 at Espacio Riesco, this marks the first time a Masters event is held in Chile, and the first VCT international tournament in the country. Here is everything you need to know about VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026, including the teams, format, prize pool, Pick’Ems rewards and how to watch.
VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 Dates And Location
VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 will take place at Espacio Riesco in Santiago, Chile, the largest convention centre in the country. The venue can seat up to 10,000 fans, and with South America previously delivering strong crowds during LOCK//IN São Paulo, expectations are high for another electric atmosphere.
The tournament is split into two stages:
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Swiss Stage | February 28 – March 4, 2026 |
| Playoffs | March 6 – March 15, 2026 |
Fans can attend in person, with tickets available via PuntoTicket. International buyers must provide passport or government ID details, and purchases are capped at four tickets per checkout.
All VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 Teams
Each VCT region sends three teams, making up a 12-team field. The first seeds from each region receive a direct bye to Playoffs, while the remaining eight teams begin in the Swiss Stage.
VCT Americas
FURIA stunned many by winning Kickoff Americas, defeating a star-studded MIBR lineup and securing first seed. G2 Esports followed as second seed, while reigning world champions NRG Esports claimed the final spot after a dramatic reverse sweep in the Lower Final.
| Seed | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | FURIA |
| 2nd | G2 Esports |
| 3rd | NRG Esports |
VCT EMEA
EMEA delivered one of the most unpredictable Kickoff runs. BBL Esports, featuring a roster built around PCIFIC Esports’ Ascension lineup, defeated established names including Fnatic and Team Vitality. Gentle Mates qualified as the new organisation replacing KOI in 2026, while Team Liquid secured the final slot after sweeping Fnatic 3-0.
| Seed | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | BBL Esports |
| 2nd | Gentle Mates |
| 3rd | Team Liquid |
VCT China
All Gamers lifted its first VCT trophy after key signings including iamgrq and Au1, booking the organisation’s first international appearance. Ascension side Xi Lai Gaming continued its rise, while EDward Gaming secured the final seed through the Lower Final.
| Seed | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | All Gamers |
| 2nd | Xi Lai Gaming |
| 3rd | EDward Gaming |
VCT Pacific
Nongshim RedForce claimed Pacific’s first seed, becoming the second Ascension organisation to win a VCT event after G2 Esports. T1 and Paper Rex round out the region, both entering Santiago with strong international pedigree.
| Seed | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | Nongshim RedForce |
| 2nd | T1 |
| 3rd | Paper Rex |
Notably, Masters Santiago will feature three Ascension teams, Nongshim RedForce, Xi Lai Gaming and G2 Esports, a first for a Masters event.
VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 Format Explained
The tournament begins with an eight-team Swiss Stage, followed by an eight-team double-elimination Playoffs bracket.
Swiss Stage Overview
The Swiss Stage runs from February 28 to March 4. All matches are best-of-three. Teams need two series wins to advance to Playoffs, while two losses eliminate them.
Opening matchups are:
| Match | Round 1 |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gentle Mates vs EDward Gaming |
| 2 | T1 vs Team Liquid |
| 3 | G2 Esports vs Paper Rex |
| 4 | Xi Lai Gaming vs NRG Esports |
The G2 Esports versus Paper Rex clash is particularly notable, marking their fifth VCT meeting. The series is currently tied 2-2 across 2024 and 2025.
The top four teams from Swiss join the four regional first seeds in Playoffs.
Playoffs Structure
Playoffs run from March 6 to March 15 and use a double-elimination bracket. Most matches are best-of-three, while the Lower Final and Grand Final are best-of-five.
Upper Bracket Quarterfinal matchups:
| Match | Fixture |
|---|---|
| UB1 | FURIA vs Swiss #4 |
| UB2 | BBL Esports vs Swiss #3 |
| UB3 | Nongshim RedForce vs Swiss #2 |
| UB4 | All Gamers vs Swiss #1 |
VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 Prize Pool And Championship Points
Image Credit: Riot Games
The total prize pool stands at USD $1,000,000, with Championship Points awarded to the top six teams. These points contribute directly towards qualification for VALORANT Champions Shanghai later in the season.
| Placement | Prize (USD) | VCT Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 350,000 | 6 |
| 2nd | 200,000 | 4 |
| 3rd | 125,000 | 3 |
| 4th | 75,000 | 2 |
| 5th–6th | 50,000 | 1 |
| 7th–8th | 35,000 | 0 |
| 9th–10th | 25,000 | 0 |
| 11th–12th | 15,000 | 0 |
Beyond the prize money, early Championship Points are crucial in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested 2026 VCT season.
Pick’Ems And Event Rewards
Pick’Ems for the Swiss Stage are already live inside VALORANT and on the official VCT Pick’Ems website. Playoffs Pick’Ems will open once all qualified teams are confirmed.
Image Credit: Riot Games
Rewards are distributed based on percentile finish and bracket accuracy:
| Tier | Requirement | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Submit predictions | “Cachando Todo” Title |
| Top 50% | Top half finish | “¡Rico, Po!” Gun Buddy |
| Top 20% | Top fifth finish | Golden “¡Rico, Po!” Gun Buddy |
| Perfect Bracket | 100% correct | “Perfect” Title |
Drops for live viewers have not yet been revealed.
How To Watch VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026
Fans can watch the event live on the official VALORANT Champions Tour Twitch and YouTube channels, with full match coverage, pre-show segments and post-match analysis.
Co-streams will also be available through partnered creators, offering alternative commentary and community-driven broadcasts.
For fans attending in person, Espacio Riesco will host live matches, fan activations and on-site experiences throughout the two-week event.
With Ascension teams challenging established international champions and early Championship Points on the line, VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 could set the tone for the entire VCT season.