Valorant EWC 2026 brings 16 top teams to Riyadh's stc Esports Arena from July 2-12 for a $2 million prize pool and intense double-elimination battles.
The Esports World Cup 2026 just revealed full details for its Valorant tournament. This event features 16 of the best teams from around the world competing offline in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a huge $2 million prize pool, Valorant EWC 2026 will be one of the biggest non-VCT tournaments of the year.
Valorant EWC 2026 Dates and Venue
Valorant EWC 2026 runs from July 2 to July 12, 2026. All matches happen at the world-class stc Esports Arena in Riyadh. The Esports World Cup Foundation and ESL FACEIT Group host this S-Tier event together. Fans can expect top production quality and comfortable seating for live crowds.
Complete Slot Allocation
Sixteen teams will compete in Valorant EWC 2026. Organizers have already set how teams qualify. Here is the full breakdown of the 16 slots:
- EWC Title Defender gets 1 slot (Team Heretics from 2025 win)
- VCT Americas Stage 1 winner gets 1 slot
- VCT China Stage 1 winner gets 1 slot
- VCT Pacific Stage 1 winner gets 1 slot
- VCT EMEA Stage 1 winner gets 1 slot
- EWC Online Qualifier EMEA gets 3 slots
- EWC Online Qualifier Americas gets 3 slots
- EWC Online Qualifier Pacific gets 3 slots
- EWC Online Qualifier China gets 2 slots
This gives a 4-5-4-3 split across Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China regions. Five teams qualify automatically before the qualifiers even start. Team Heretics already locked their spot as defending champs.
Valorant EWC 2026 Format Explained
The competition splits into two main stages. Stage 1 is the Group Stage running approximately July 2 through July 6. All 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams each. They use a double-elimination GSL format where every match is best-of-three.
The top two teams from each group advance to the Playoffs. Stage 2 Playoffs run from July 7 to July 12. Eight teams compete in a single-elimination bracket. Quarterfinals and Semifinals stay best-of-three. The Grand Final becomes best-of-five to decide the champion.
Valorant EWC 2026 Prize Pool and Points
Valorant EWC 2026 offers a record $2 million USD prize pool. This beats most third-party Valorant events outside the official VCT circuit. Winning teams also earn valuable EWC Club Points for their organisations.
The exact prize distribution has not come out yet. Top four teams will share the biggest payouts. Every match carries financial weight alongside competitive prestige.
Qualification Process
Direct qualifiers tie closely to VCT Stage 1 schedules across all major regions. Stage 1 winners from America, China, Pacific, and EMEA automatically book their flights to Riyadh. Team Heretics joins them as the only title defender slot.
The remaining 11 spots come from online regional qualifiers. Americas, EMEA, and Pacific regions each send three teams through open brackets. China sends two more alongside their Stage 1 winner. These qualifiers favor big organizations but leave room for surprises.
All in all, Valorant EWC 2026 sits perfectly between VCT Stage 1 and Stage 2. Early season formers get rewarded with Riyadh trips. Qualifier battles give newer rosters global exposure. The $2 million prize pool draws top talent worldwide.