Riot's April 2026 announcement of a tournament-centric VCT 2027 structure and two-year partnership cycle has shaped trader focus on China's ecosystem, where eight partner teams plus a visitor team model (formerly Ascension) will continue with direct entry into Kickoff and early Cups. June updates confirmed China's format stays largely intact compared to other regions, featuring eight partners, two visitors, and two open qualifier spots at Kickoff while emphasizing promotion/relegation pathways. Applications for new or existing organizations opened in April and are evaluated on community growth, fan engagement, and operational stability. Recent roster activity in the 2026 China Stage 2 and ongoing qualifier preparations represent the latest factors that could influence which teams secure or retain partnerships ahead of 2027.