New Delhi, Mar 02: NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, has announced the broadcast kickoff of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, marking the start of another high-stakes competitive season for the region’s top VALORANT teams.
The official broadcast will stream live on NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels, bringing fans closer to the action as teams embark on their Split 1 journey.
Registrations for Split 1 remain open until March 4, 2026, inviting eligible teams across South Asia to compete in the region’s premier VALORANT circuit — the official pathway toward the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
Key Dates – Split 1
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Registration Window: Till March 4, 2026
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Open Qualifiers: March 7 – March 11, 2026
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Split 1 Broadcast Begins: March 16, 2026
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Split 1 Playoffs: April 8 – 9, 2026
Eligibility Requirements
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Minimum Rank: Immortal 1 and above (V25 Act 6)
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Eligible Regions: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Maldives
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Premier Team Seeding: Based on V25 Acts 4, 5 & 6
Tournament Structure Overview
Open Qualifiers & Playoffs
The competitive journey begins with a high-intensity open circuit aimed at spotlighting emerging talent across South Asia.
Open Qualifiers:
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Single Elimination
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Best-of-Three (Bo3)
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Top 10 teams advance to OQ Playoffs
OQ Playoffs:
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Double Elimination
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Bo3 format
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Top 5 teams qualify for Split 1
Additionally, the Top 3 teams from VCSA 2025 will receive direct invitations to Split 1.
Split 1 Format
Team Composition:
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5 Teams from OQ Playoffs
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3 Direct Invites
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Total: 8 Teams
Format:
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Single Round Robin
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Bo3 Matches
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28 Matches across 14 match days
Advancement:
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Top 6 advance to Split 2
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Bottom 2 move to Promotion & Relegation
Split 2 & Grand Finals
Split 2 will feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four will progress to the Playoff Stage, culminating in a single-elimination bracket (Bo3 matches and a Bo5 Grand Final) to crown the 2026 VALORANT Challengers South Asia champions.
Game Changers South Asia 2026
Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will feature two competitive splits with open qualifiers, reinforcing inclusive growth within the regional VALORANT ecosystem. The winner of Split 2 will advance to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.
Building on a Landmark 2025 Season
VCSA 2026 follows a record-breaking 2025 edition, where Velocity Gaming secured the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant 3–1 Grand Final victory over S8UL at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.
The 2025 season drew over 12 million views and peaked at more than 50,000 concurrent viewers, establishing VCSA as one of South Asia’s most-watched VALORANT tournaments.
From the Organizers
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:
“Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”
With registrations closing soon and broadcasts set to go live, the road to VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 is officially underway, inviting teams across the region to compete, rise, and define the next chapter of South Asian VALORANT.
