Rumor: Riot Games to Ban Academy Rosters in VCT Starting 2027
Riot Games is reportedly set to overhaul the VCT ecosystem starting in 2027, with a significant ban on academy rosters that will prohibit organizations from fielding two active teams simultaneously.
This major structural change comes from Sheep Esports, citing sources familiar with Riot's internal discussions. The primary goal is to prevent matches between a club's main and academy squads, effectively ending the current dual-roster model for partner clubs. While this restriction will likely extend to other organizations as the VCT transitions to a more open system, an exception remains for Game Changers rosters, which can continue to operate alongside their main teams.
Key Regulatory Shifts for 2027
Beyond the roster ban, Riot is preparing several other critical rule changes. The residency requirement will tighten significantly: teams must field at least three players from their home territory, limiting foreign imports to a maximum of two. This expands the definition of 'home territory' beyond the four main VCT regions to include all 16 territories.
Additionally, Riot plans to lower the minimum age for international competition participation in main regions from 18 to 17 years, though China may retain its own restrictions due to local legislation. Minimum salary thresholds for partner teams are expected to remain around $50,000, with no immediate plans for a global salary cap.
Official Confirmation and Examples
VALORANT Esports head Leo Faria has publicly confirmed the residency principle and transitional exceptions. He used MIBR as an example: currently featuring players from Brazil, Latin America, and the USA, the team can maintain its roster but must replace any departing American with a Brazilian player once the transition period ends.
While Riot previously outlined the overall structure for VCT 2027, including open qualifiers for regional and international tournaments, full season regulations remain unpublished. Consequently, details regarding the academy ban, age limits, and salary specifics are currently unofficially confirmed.
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