So, you’re staring at that 1,775 VP skin in the shop, but your wallet is screaming. I get it. We’ve all been there. The good news? The when is next night market valorant question finally has some concrete answers for early 2026. If you just missed the holiday haul that wrapped up on January 6, don't tilt just yet.
Riot usually keeps these things on a pretty tight leash, appearing once per Act. Since Season 2026 Act 1 is currently in full swing, we can pinpoint exactly when those glowing tarot cards are coming back to haunt—or bless—your client.
When is next night market valorant? The 2026 schedule
If you're looking for the short answer: expect the next Night Market to go live around February 26, 2026.
Historically, Riot drops the market about two to three weeks before an Act ends. With the current Act 1 scheduled to wrap up on March 18, 2026, the late February window is the "goldilocks" zone. It's far enough from the New Year's market to feel fresh but close enough to the end of the season to drain everyone's remaining points before the next big bundle drops.
Honestly, the pattern is almost robotic at this point.
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- Early 2025: February 13 – March 4
- Mid 2025: July 10 – July 24
- Holiday 2025/2026: December 11 – January 6
- Next Predicted: February 26 – March 18, 2026
Keep in mind these dates aren't set in stone until Riot tweets that cryptic image of a street market, but if you’re planning your budget, late February is when you’ll want to have your VP ready.
Why your Night Market probably feels "bad"
We’ve all seen the screenshots. One guy gets the Reaver Vandal and Ion Phantom for 40% off, and you get six blue-tier "Select" skins for weapons you never use. It feels personal. It’s not.
There are actual rules to this madness. You are guaranteed at least two Premium-tier skins or a melee skin in your pool. The catch? You won't see anything from the "Ultra" or "Exclusive" tiers. That means no Elderflame, no Protocol, and definitely no Champions or VCT Team Capsules. Those are strictly off-limits for the Night Market.
Also, there’s a "cool-down" period. A skin has to be at least two Acts old to show up. If you're hoping for the brand-new Ayakashi skins or whatever just dropped in the V26 patch, you’re going to be waiting until at least the middle of the year.
The eligibility breakdown (the stuff Riot doesn't explain well)
- Select & Deluxe: These are basically filler. They show up often.
- Premium Edition: This is the sweet spot. Reaver, Oni, Ion, Prime—these can all drop here.
- Melee Limit: You won't find knives that cost more than 3,550 VP in the base shop. So, while you might find a cool karambit, don't expect the high-end flashy ones that usually retail for 4,350 VP or more.
How to find it (and what to do if it’s missing)
When the event finally goes live, a small flickering card icon appears in the top right of your main menu. It’s right next to the Store tab. You click it, you see six cards, and you flip them.
Once you flip them, that's it. There is no reroll. There is no "try again tomorrow." Those six skins are yours for the next 20 or so days.
If you don't see the icon on the supposed launch day, don't panic. Riot usually rolls these out by region. North America usually gets it around 5:00 PM PT, while Europe sees it at 02:00 AM CEST the following day. If you're in Mumbai, you're looking at a 05:30 AM IST start. Basically, just check after your local daily shop reset.
Stop buying skins at full price right now
If you’re hunting for a specific classic like the Gaia’s Vengeance or the Magepunk lines, buying them in the daily rotation right now is a gamble. With the when is next night market valorant window less than two months away, the smart move is to wait.
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The discounts range from 10% to a massive 49%. Getting a Premium skin for half off is the only way to stay "sane" with Valorant's pricing model.
Check your current VP balance. If you have enough for one Premium skin at full price, you might actually be able to snag two if you wait for the February cards. It’s a test of patience, sure, but seeing a gold card flip over to reveal a 45% discount on an Oni Phantom makes the wait worth it every single time.
Keep an eye on the official Valorant social channels around February 19. That’s usually when the teasers start dropping, and that’s your signal to lock your wallet in a drawer until the market opens.
Next Steps:
- Check the "Act Ends" timer in your Battle Pass tab to confirm the March 18 date.
- Save at least 2,000 VP now so you aren't scrambling when the February 26 window opens.
- Look through the "Premium" tier collections list to see which specific skins you are actually hoping to roll.