Broadcom ‘Removal’ Of VMware Partner Tier Set For May In EMEA

‘The Registered tier will go away in May in EMEA,’ Laura Falko, Broadcom-VMware’s global partner program leader, tells CRN.

VMware resell partners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) will see the lowest tier in VMware’s partner program removed in May 2026 as the Broadcom Advantage Partner Program gets rolled out globally.

“The Registered tier will go away in May in EMEA,” Laura Falko, Broadcom’s global partner program leader, told CRN.

“So those [EMEA Registered] partners will either exit or they will be releveled to the Select tier level,” said Falko, head of global partner marketing and Broadcom’s partner program office.

Broadcom is reducing its four-tier Broadcom Advantage Partner Program for VMware resellers—Registered, Select, Premier and Pinnacle—into three tiers in EMEA this May, eliminating its lowest Registered partner tier completely.

VMware Registered Teir Removal Reasoning

Palo Alto, Calif.-based Broadcom eliminated its lowest Registered partner program tier in most of the world in late 2025.

“Broadcom is reducing the number of partners authorized to resell VMware solutions in the Americas, and Asia-Pacific and Japan regions,” said Brian Moats, Broadcom’s global channel chief, in a June blog post.

“This decision will enable Broadcom to focus on deepening our relationships with those partners who are committed to delivering the transformative customer experience around VMware solutions, as demonstrated by their historical performance levels, technical and other relevant expertise, and ability to make the investments necessary to offer customers the levels of service they expect and deserve,” said Moats, senior vice president of global commercial sales and partners.

On Nov. 1, 2025, the official revamped Broadcom Advantage Partner Program was rolled out throughout most of the world.

“The only thing that we hadn’t put in place for the EMEA region was the removal of the Registered tier,” Falko said. “We did announce the removal of the Registered tier on Jan. 2, so that will go away in May.”

VMware Channel M&A Heats Up

As part of the program changes, Broadcom explained that some VMware channel partners will likely need to be acquired by larger VMware partners.

For example, VMware partner 11:11 Systems has acquired several VMware-focused channel partners over the past 18 months.

In January, 11:11 Systems acquired VMware IT services firm Ntirety.

“We’re finding a way to help those VMware providers that were removed from the program as a cloud service provider,” said Dante Orsini, CRO at 11:11, in an interview with CRN earlier this year. “You’re going to see this huge opportunity for people to understand that we have the best possible platform as a community.”

The Revamped 2026 Broadcom Advantage Partner Program

The revamped Broadcom Advantage Partner Program features a points-based system that prioritizes capability over sales volume.

Historically a program focused on a transactional model centered on licenses and basic services, the revamped program sets up a new framework where competencies, certifications, customer success and professional services define partner value.

A major win for partners in the revamped program is that Broadcom is pledging to push all professional services through channel partners.

“We want very technical pre- and post-sales partners that can walk a customer through the [VMware Cloud Foundation] journey, implement and drive the outcomes,” Moats told CRN in late 2025.

“If you do that well, you will thrive. You will prosper beyond what you’ve ever experienced with VMware,” he said.

Other new benefits for VMware partners include a new AI-powered Partner Journey module, improved VMware deal renewal protection, richer incentives for Premier and Pinnacle partners, and more.

Broadcom is set to announce the financial results from its first fiscal quarter 2026 on March 4.