The first big international VALORANT event of 2026 is now officially confirmed. VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 will take place from February 28 to March 15 in Santiago, Chile. Riot Games will host the tournament at Espacio Riesco, bringing together top teams from around the world.
The event will feature a prize pool of one million dollars along with important VCT points. These points are very important because they help teams qualify for bigger global competitions later in the season.
Teams Already Qualified Directly To Playoffs
Four teams have already secured a direct entry into the Playoffs stage. These squads performed strongly in their regional kickoff events and will skip the early rounds.
Confirmed direct playoff teams include:
- FURIA Esports representing the Americas region as top seed
- All Gamers from China as the number one team
- BBL Esports from the EMEA region
- NS RedForce representing the Pacific region
These teams are considered strong contenders because of their recent performances.
Teams Playing The Swiss Stage
Several other teams will start their journey in the Swiss Stage before reaching the Playoffs. These teams come from different regions and will fight for limited playoff spots.
Confirmed Swiss Stage teams include:
- From China
XLG Esports
EDward Gaming
- From the Americas
G2 Esports
NRG
- From EMEA
Gentle Mates
Team Liquid
- From the Pacific region
T1
Paper Rex
This stage is expected to be very competitive as all teams will aim to secure a place in the next round.
Tournament Format Explained Simply
The event will be played in two main phases.
Swiss Stage
This phase runs from February 28 to March 4. Eight teams compete in a Swiss style format. All matches are Best of Three. After several rounds, only four teams move forward while the remaining teams are eliminated.
Playoffs Stage
The Playoffs begin on March 6 and continue until March 15. Eight teams will compete here. Four teams come directly from regional wins and four qualify through the Swiss Stage.
Most matches will be Best of Three, but the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final will be longer Best of Five series. This ensures the strongest team truly proves itself.
Why This Tournament Matters
Masters Santiago is more than just prize money. It sets the tone for the entire VALORANT esports season. Teams that perform well gain confidence, ranking points, and global recognition.
Fans also use this event to see which teams are improving and which new players are rising in the scene.
Extra Points Fans Should Know
International events like this help teams understand global playstyles. Different regions often have unique strategies. Facing international opponents helps teams adapt faster.
It also gives fans a chance to watch new rivalries develop, which often continue throughout the year.
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