Vietnam is set to make esports history as its capital Ho Chi Minh City has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific Stage 1 Finals, marking the first time a tier-1 VCT event will be held in Southeast Asia.
The VCT Pacific Stage 1 Finals, scheduled for May 2026, will bring together the top teams and players from South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other Asia-Pacific nations, as they battle for the title and secured slots at VALORANT Masters London, along with crucial VCT points toward international tournaments.
Jake Sin, Head of VALORANT Esports APAC, spoke about the significance of bringing a tier-1 tournament to Vietnam for the first time.
“Bringing an event to Vietnam has actually been on our minds for quite some time. Our Vietnamese community and viewers have been growing extremely rapidly over the past few years. In fact, Vietnamese is now one of our top five languages in terms of VCT viewership,” Sin said during a press conference in Seoul, according to VALO2ASIA.
He also highlighted the region’s rising talent, pointing to Ngô “crazyguy” Công Anh’s IGL of the Year award and Fancy United’s recent triumph at the APAC Predator League as signs of Vietnam’s growing competitive presence.
Hosting a tier-1 VCT event—which is one of most anticipated tournaments on the best esports betting sites—places Vietnam on the global VALORANT esports map. Ho Chi Minh City last welcomed a regional competition in August 2025, when it staged the VALORANT Challengers SEA Split 3 Playoffs at the VPStudio, where Motiv Esports upset FULL SENSE to claim the trophy and $10,000 prize money.
Known for its thriving tech and gaming culture, Ho Chi Minh City is anticipated to draw fans from across the Pacific region, with live matches, fan experiences, community activations, and exclusive merch as part of the roadshows.
Riot Games is expected to share additional details on the venue, schedule, and ticket sales closer to the tournament. Following the Stage 1 Finals, Busan, South Korea, will host the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Finals in September, as previously announced.
