Riot Games has announced exciting plans for the VALORANT Game Changers North America 2026 season. With a significant prize pool of $150,000 (~£112,000), this season promises thrilling competition and opportunities for women and marginalized genders in esports.
Encompassing several regional competitions, the circuit will run from February to September, including a Kickoff tournament, two main events, and five Raidiant Academy competitions. This initiative aims to foster talent and inclusivity within the gaming community. The competitions will culminate in the global Game Changers Championship.
Game Changers NA 2026: Kickoff Event
The upcoming Game Changers NA season will start with a Kickoff event, providing teams an opportunity to trial players and prepare for more competitive events. From February 4th to 9th, up to 32 teams can join the Kickoff Open Qualifier, with the top eight moving on to the main stage. The event will conclude between February 20th and March 1st in a double-elimination format. Matches will primarily be best-of-threes, except for the Lower Bracket and Grand Finals, which are best-of-fives. Although this Kickoff won’t grant Championship Circuit Points, teams will compete for a $10,000 (~£7,500) prize. Fans can watch the action on Raidiant’s Twitch channel and the VALORANT Americas Twitch and YouTube pages.
Game Changers NA 2026: Stage 1 & 2
Following the Kickoff, the season progresses with two Stages. Stage 1 runs from April 15th to June 5th, and Stage 2 from July 3rd to September 13th. Teams will qualify through Open Qualifiers, advancing to a Swiss Stage and then a Main Event. Important matchups will feature the top two teams from GC NA 2025, Shopify Rebellion Gold and Wadadaa, receiving direct invitations. Winners from both stages will earn a share of the $65,000 (~£49,000) prize pool and crucial Championship Circuit Points, impacting their qualification for the GC Championship. Viewers can tune in via Raidiant and VALORANT Americas’ streaming channels.
Raidiant Academy
In 2026, the Game Changers Academy evolves into the Raidiant Academy, a platform aimed at nurturing aspiring talent across various roles in esports. Five weekend tournaments will be held, each with a $2,000 (~£1,500) prize, broadcast on the Raidiant Twitch channel. Participants can find registration details on Raidiant’s social media channels.