The biggest VALORANT circuit in South Asia is back and bigger than ever. NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, has officially announced the broadcast launch of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026 — with registrations closing on March 4 and Open Qualifiers beginning March 7.
Table of Contents
VCSA 2026 Split 1: Key Dates & Format
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Closes | March 4, 2026 |
| Open Qualifiers | March 7–11, 2026 |
| Split 1 Broadcast Begins | March 16, 2026 |
| Split 1 Playoffs | April 8–9, 2026 |
| Min. Rank to Register | Immortal 1+ (V25 Act 6) |
| Eligible Regions | India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives |
| Teams in Split 1 | 8 (5 from OQ + 3 direct invites) |
| Broadcast Channels | NODWIN Gaming & Valorant Esports South Asia on YouTube |
Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Season
The 2026 season runs a refined multi-stage structure — Open Qualifiers → Split 1 → Split 2 → Grand Finals — with a Promotion & Relegation stage keeping the stakes high throughout. The Top 3 teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations to Split 1, while five spots are up for grabs through the Open Qualifiers.
Open Qualifiers run single elimination Bo3, with the Top 10 advancing to OQ Playoffs (double elimination Bo3), and the Top 5 qualifying for Split 1. Split 1 itself runs a single round robin with 28 matches across 14 match days — the Top 6 advance to Split 2, while the bottom 2 face Promotion & Relegation.
Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 returns with two competitive splits and open qualifiers, with the Split 2 winner advancing to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.
VCSA 2025 drew over 12 million views and peaked at 50,000+ concurrent viewers — with Velocity Gaming claiming the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant Grand Final over S8UL. As TechnoSports has noted, 2026 is arriving on the back of South Asian VALORANT’s most-watched season ever.
Register at vct.nodwingaming.com before March 4.
FAQs
Who can register for VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026?
Teams from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives with a minimum rank of Immortal 1 (V25 Act 6) are eligible.
When does the VCSA 2026 broadcast begin?
The Split 1 broadcast begins on March 16, 2026, streaming live on NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels.
