en
Riot Reveals Tougher Anti-Cheat Rules for VCT 2027
Riot Games has announced stricter anti-cheat and competitive integrity measures for the 2027 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), introducing additional player verification, monitoring requirements and streaming restrictions as online competition returns to the circuit.
The changes were detailed in an official announcement published on November 5. They come as Riot prepares to expand the competitive ecosystem of VALORANT, allowing more teams to compete for places in major international tournaments through Open Qualifiers.
Rather than applying every safeguard from the opening rounds, Riot will increase its level of oversight as teams advance. The most demanding requirements, including player POV recordings, voice monitoring and cameras covering the match area, will become mandatory during Open Playoffs.
Anti-Cheat Measures Will Increase Throughout VCT 2027
Riot has divided its competitive integrity framework into three stages, with different monitoring requirements depending on how far teams progress through the open qualification circuit.
- Open Qualifiers: Matches will primarily rely on Riot Vanguard, post-match reporting and retroactive enforcement. Additional account security requirements are being considered but have not been confirmed as mandatory.
- Open Play-Ins: Teams will face a higher baseline of protection. Regional organizers may introduce additional monitoring, identity verification and tournament oversight at their discretion.
- Open Playoffs: The full competitive integrity framework will be mandatory, including voice monitoring, player POV recordings, match-area cameras and additional anti-cheat checks.
The approach is intended to make online competition manageable across hundreds of participating teams while concentrating additional resources on later, higher-stakes matches.
Tournament officials will also have authority to request integrity checks where permitted by the applicable rules. These may include inspecting player setups, reviewing recordings, checking communications or requiring teams to livestream their match area.
Players Must Meet Rank and Account Eligibility Requirements
All competitors entering VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers must be Vanguard Check compliant. Riot is also introducing account eligibility standards designed to identify potential issues before players enter competition.
Every player on a competing team must have reached at least Ascendant rank within the previous six months. Reaching the required rank at some point in the distant past will not be sufficient.
Accounts must also be in good standing. According to Riot, eligible accounts cannot be currently banned or have received a Game Ban, Vanguard Intervention, Ranked Restriction or Comms Restriction within the previous 30 days. Players must also be free of Ranked queue restrictions during registration and competition.
Previous disciplinary history does not automatically prevent participation, provided the player satisfies the applicable account standing requirements. Riot may still conduct additional account reviews.
Regional eligibility rules will determine other requirements, including age, residency and roster composition. Under Riot's announced framework, at least three of a team's five starting players must belong to its designated home region, subject to applicable exceptions.
Roster continuity will also matter throughout the season. Teams seeking to retain their competitive progress and Championship Points between Open Qualifiers will need to keep at least three of their five players, subject to the final competition rules.
Player Livestreams Will Require a Two-Minute Delay
Riot will continue allowing competitors to livestream their Open Qualifier matches, but player POV broadcasts must have a delay of at least two minutes, starting from the opening qualification stage.
The requirement is intended to reduce the risk of stream sniping and prevent opponents from obtaining information that would not normally be available during a match.
Teams can organize their own broadcasts using multiple player POV streams, provided every individual stream follows the same delay requirement.
Third-party creators will also be allowed to co-stream player POV broadcasts, but they must obtain approval from the tournament organizer beforehand. Teams and players will remain permitted to publish match VODs and voice communications.
Coaching restrictions will depend on the stage of competition. Coaches may communicate with players during the early rounds, while later stages of Cup qualification tournaments will introduce monitored communications under existing VCT coaching standards.
Cheating and Match Manipulation Can Lead to Disqualification
Riot reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to cheating, including helping other competitors gain an unfair advantage. Investigations will combine Vanguard detection, account reviews, match evidence and tournament reports.
When additional monitoring is available, officials may also review player recordings, communications and other relevant material. Confirmed violations can lead to disqualification and competitive suspensions, even when misconduct is discovered after a match has ended.
The integrity rules also cover match-fixing, betting-related misconduct and deliberate manipulation of results. Riot's framework prohibits attempted manipulation even when it does not succeed, and organizations may be held responsible for misconduct involving their players, coaches, owners or other representatives.
Failure to cooperate with investigations into match manipulation can also lead to sanctions. Riot will assess reports through official tournament channels, referring serious cases to Riot Esports Compliance when appropriate.
Not every allegation will result in disciplinary action or a public announcement. Riot says it will balance transparency around significant rulings with the need to protect ongoing investigations and the privacy of those involved.
Online Matches Will Follow Regional Technical Rules
The return of online competition also means teams will be responsible for maintaining their own computers, peripherals and internet connections.
Riot plans to establish procedures for technical pauses, disconnections, server selection and match disputes through its Online Play Rulebook. Depending on the circumstances and applicable rules, officials may pause or resume a match, or require play to continue.
Regional tournament operators will consider player locations and available servers when selecting match servers, although Riot acknowledges that online competition cannot guarantee identical latency for every participant.
These changes accompany the broader restructuring of VCT 2027. Riot previously confirmed that Kickoff tournaments in Americas, EMEA and Pacific will each feature eight partner teams and four teams from Open Qualifiers, opening additional opportunities for non-partner organizations to reach the top level.
Open Qualifiers for the 2027 season begin in November 2026, with registration schedules and additional requirements varying by region. Players and organizations should consult the Riot Games Competitive Operations library and their respective regional tournament rules before registering.
Follow Strafe Esports for the latest VALORANT news, and our X account for more updates and coverage. Be sure to check out the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences and more.
Featured image credit: Riot Games
Read more:
Sentinels Sign canezerra After Riot Lifts His Hardware Ban Early
