VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Broadcast Kickoff And Open Qualifiers Start

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NODWIN Gaming, working with Riot Games, is set to begin the broadcast phase of VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026. The organisers confirmed Split 1 registrations stay open until March 4, 2026. Teams across South Asia are preparing for open qualifiers and the first televised match days.

The official VCSA 2026 broadcast will stream on NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels. The circuit is the region’s route for teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Split 1 is the first stage in a season built around qualifiers, splits, and playoffs.

The season uses a multi-stage format with Open Qualifiers, two Splits, Promotion and Relegation, and grand finals. Split 1 has a defined schedule from early March to early April. Teams must also meet ranking and regional requirements before entering the competition.

Entry is limited to teams meeting specific competitive standards. The minimum rank is Immortal 1 and above in V25 Act 6. Eligible countries are India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives. Premier Team seeding is based on V25 Acts 4, 5 and 6.

Split 1 begins with Open Qualifiers designed to bring new teams into the spotlight. The Open Qualifiers use a single-elimination bracket with best-of-three matches. At the end of this stage, the top 10 teams advance into the Open Qualifiers Playoffs.

The Open Qualifiers Playoffs then switch to a double-elimination system. Matches continue as best-of-three contests in this phase. From that playoff bracket, the top five teams secure places in Split 1. These teams join invited sides to complete the Split 1 line-up.

VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Split 1 and progression

The top three teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations into Split 1. They join the five teams emerging from the Open Qualifiers Playoffs. That creates an eight-team Split 1 roster, with all teams playing for places in Split 2 and safety from relegation risk.

Split 1 runs as a single round robin with best-of-three matches. The schedule includes 28 matches spread across 14 match days. After the league phase, the top six teams advance to Split 2. The bottom two teams move into Promotion and Relegation.

VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Split 2, grand finals, and Game Changers

Split 2 also features eight teams in a single round robin format. The top four then move to a Playoff Stage using a single-elimination bracket. Playoff matches are best-of-three, while the Grand Final is a best-of-five. The winner becomes the 2026 regional champion.

Game Changers South Asia 2026 runs alongside the main circuit. It includes two competitive splits with open qualifiers. The organisers said the format supports broader participation in the region. The winner of Split 2 earns a place at the Game Changers Pacific Stage.

VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 builds on 2025 viewership

The 2026 season follows a high-viewership 2025 edition. Velocity Gaming won a VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a 3–1 Grand Final win over S8UL. That result came at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN. Organisers reported more than 12 million views and a 50,000+ peak audience.

Gautam Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said: "As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance. After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard."

Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia, Riot Games added: "Competingin VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams inSouth Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and thepassion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the newseason underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 alreadyannounced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emergingcontenders raise the bar even higher."

With registrations closing on March 4, 2026, teams have limited time to enter Split 1. Open Qualifiers then run from March 7 to March 11, before broadcasts begin on March 16th. The Split 1 playoff follows on April 8 and 9, as the season moves deeper into VCSA 2026.