The end of the VALORANT competitive year is approaching. Its conclusion will take place in the city of Shanghai, China, with its world championship. For 4 weeks, we will see the best of VALORANT. However, first of all, let’s find out which are the 16 teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026.
Each of the 4 regions will be represented by 4 teams. These include the two finalists from VCT 2026 and two more through the Champions points system. So, to find out which were the 16 teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026 and the qualification method for each one, check it out below.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Shanghai
VALORANT Champions is the biggest FPS championship from Riot Games. The best qualified teams from around the world gather for weeks, showing the highest level of VALORANT. All with the goal of discovering who will lift the much-desired and coveted trophy.
In Shanghai, the teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026 will meet between September 24 and October 18. The championship will take place in two different arenas.
During the group stage and the beginning of the playoffs, Champions will be held at the Jing’an Sports Center. Meanwhile, the definition of the top 4, known as the final stage, will be hosted at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Format and dates
Just like every VALORANT Champions, the format will be divided into two stages. The group stage will be the first of them. The 16 teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026 will be distributed into 4 groups. Thus, having 4 teams in each, distributed through a draw system.
The group stage will take place during the first days of the championship. The matchups and their respective times have not yet been defined. Remembering that two teams from each group qualify for the next stage.
>In the playoffs, of the 16 teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026, only 8 remain in the competition. In this stage, we have a double-elimination bracket system. In short, for a team to be eliminated, it needs to lose two series.
Remembering that all matches will be in the best-of-three maps format. Except for the lower bracket final and the grand final, which are best-of-five maps.
Teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026
As previously mentioned, Champions 2026 will feature 16 teams. Coming 4 from each VCT region: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. These teams were defined through two different systems: finalists of the last VCT stage and the scoring system.
The scoring system has been running since the Kickoff, functioning as follows:
- Top 4 of VCT Kickoff
- Top 6 of VCT Masters
- Top 4 of VCT Stage 1 + 1 point per victory
- Top 6 of VCT Masters
- 3rd and 4th place of VCT Stage 2 + 1 point per victory
VCT Americas
The 4 teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026, coming from VCT Americas, were:
- 100 Thieves
- LOUD
- NRG
- G2 Esports
VCT EMEA
From VCT EMEA, we had the following qualification:
- Karmine Corp
- Team Liquid
- FUT Esports
- Team Vitality
VCT Pacific
In the Pacific, the 4 teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026 were:
- Global Esports
- Nongshim RedForce
- Paper Rex
- T1
VCT China
Finally, in VCT China, the 4 teams that will play at home were:
- JD Gaming
- TYLOO
- Edward Gaming
- XLG Esports
Groups defined with the teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026
After the end of the VCT Americas 2026 grand final, where we had 100 Thieves as champions, the Champions 2026 draw was held. The teams were divided into “pots,” ensuring greater balance during the group stage.
- Seed 1 – 1st place VCT: 100 Thieves, Karmine Corp, Global Esports, and JD Gaming
- Seed 2 – 2nd place VCT: LOUD, Team Liquid, Nongshim RedForce, and TYLOO
- Seed 3 – 1st place points: NRG, FUT Esports, Paper Rex, and EDward Gaming
- Seed 4 – 2nd place points: G2 Esports, Team Vitality, T1, and XLG Esports
In this way, the groups were divided as follows:
| A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Thieves | Global Esports | TYLOO | Karmine Corp |
| JD Gaming | LOUD | Team Liquid | Nongshim RedForce |
| FUT Esports | EDward Gaming | Paper Rex | NRG |
| T1 | Team Vitality | G2 Esports | XLG Esports |
In addition to the drawn groups, the first matchups were defined:
A
- 100T vs T1
- JDG vs FUT
B
- GE vs VIT
- LOUD vs EDG
C
- TYL vs G2
- TL vs PRX
D
- KC vs XLG
- NS vs NRG
How to watch VALORANT Champions 2026?
VALORANT Champions 2026 will be broadcast on all official Riot Games and VALORANT Esports channels. In addition to the official broadcasts, as usual, we should have the presence of several co-streams. So, keep an eye on the VALORANT Esports social media and don’t miss any updates.
The times have not yet been confirmed, but they should follow the global standard. That is, the games should start around 2 PM, Shanghai time. Plan ahead so you don’t miss any games.
Now tell me, of the teams qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026, which one is the big favorite?
