ACE VALORANT Challengers NA Update

Following an announcement published on December 17, two free agent teams failed to meet eligibility requirements and will not retain their slots for the 2026 season. The affected teams are ROSE and the former CUBERT Academy free agent roster.

As a result, two spots in ACE VALORANT Challengers NA 2026 are now available. These openings will be decided through a multi stage qualifier competition taking place from January 5 through January 10.

Open Qualifier Format

The January Open Qualifier will use a single elimination format and feature up to 64 teams. Matches will be played across two rounds per day, with all series contested as best of three. Only the top two teams at the conclusion of the Open Qualifier will advance to the next stage.

Closed Qualifier Format

The Closed Qualifier will run from January 8 to January 10 and feature four teams competing in a double elimination bracket.

This stage includes the two teams advancing from the Open Qualifier, along with Burger Boyz and Fraud Uni, who qualified through Premier Mode during 2025 Acts V and VI. The final winners will secure their place in VALORANT Challengers NA 2026 Stage 1.

Registration Details

Registration for the Open Qualifier will be open from December 22 to December 28, 2025. Eligible teams will compete in January 2026 for a chance to earn one of the remaining spots in ACE VALORANT Challengers NA.