Riot Games is gearing up for an exciting year with the announcement of the VALORANT Game Changers North America 2026 season. This year’s roadmap promises a thrilling journey for participants and fans alike, featuring a substantial prize pool of $150,000 (~£112,000). With a focus on fostering talent among women and marginalized genders in esports, this season is set to make waves across the gaming community.
Riot Games has unveiled the roadmap for the VALORANT Game Changers North America 2026 season, featuring a total prize pool of $150,000 (~£112,000). The circuit will run from February until September and includes a Kickoff tournament, two main events, and five Raidiant Academy competitions.
Game Changers NA 2026: Kickoff Event
Kicking off the season, the Game Changers (GC) NA will start with a vibrant Kickoff event, perfect for teams to test their strategies and players. From February 4th to 9th, up to 32 teams can compete in the Open Qualifier, with the top eight advancing to the main stage. The final rounds, scheduled between February 20th and March 1st, will feature a double-elimination bracket.
Matches throughout the tournament will predominantly be best-of-threes (BO3), while the Lower Bracket Finals and Grand Finals will be best-of-five (BO5). Although Championship Circuit Points won’t be awarded, competitors will vie for a $10,000 (~£7,500) prize pool. Fans can catch the majority of the action on Raidiant’s Twitch channel, with the final matches streamed on VALORANT Americas’ Twitch and YouTube pages.
Game Changers NA 2026: Stage 1 & 2
Following the Kickoff, the season unfolds with two exciting Stage events. Stage 1 runs from April 15th to June 5th, followed by Stage 2 from July 3rd to September 13th. Each of these stages will include two Open Qualifiers, leading into a Swiss Stage and a Main Event.
During the Swiss Stage, 16 teams will battle through seven rounds, with the top eight moving to the double-elimination bracket in the Main Event. Like the Kickoff, most matches will be BO3, except for the BO5 Lower Bracket Finals and Grand Finals. In Stage 1, Shopify Rebellion Gold and Wadadaa, the top teams from GC NA 2025, will receive direct invites.
Winners of these stages will not only claim a share of the $65,000 (~£49,000) prize pool but also earn Championship Circuit Points, crucial for GC Championship qualification. The action will be broadcast live on Raidiant’s Twitch channel and VALORANT Americas’ streaming platforms.
Raidiant Academy
In 2026, the Game Changers Academy will transform into the Raidiant Academy, continuing as a platform for budding esports talent. This rebranding reflects the academy’s role as the main tournament organizer for Game Changers in North America.
The Raidiant Academy will host five weekend tournaments throughout the season, each with a $2,000 (~£1,500) prize pool. These events are ideal for aspiring athletes, on-air talent, and production staff to sharpen their skills in a competitive yet nurturing environment. For further details on participation, keep an eye on Raidiant’s social media channels.
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| January 2026 | TBD 2026 | October 2026 | November 2026 | December 2026 |