VALORANT Champions 2026 Shanghai now has 16 teams fixed and split into four groups. The field is set after Stage 2 playoffs across Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. The top two teams from each region and two more with the highest Championship Points earned their spots.
Here’s a breakdown of every qualified roster by region, the official group draw, seeding rules, opening matches, and more.
Quick summary
- 16 teams in total, four each from Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China.
- Prize pool is $2,250,000, with Champions taking home $1,000,000.
- The full roster includes top two teams per Stage 2 region and other two by Championship Points.
All 16 qualified teams and groups by region in VCT Champions 2026 Shanghai
Teams
| Region | Teams |
|---|---|
| Americas | 100 Thieves (Americas Stage 2 #1) LOUD (Americas Stage 2 #2) NRG (Americas Points #3) G2 Esports (Americas Points #4) |
| EMEA | Karmine Corp (EMEA Stage 2 #1) Team Liquid (EMEA Stage 2 #2) FUT Esports (EMEA Points #3) Team Vitality (EMEA Points #4) |
| Pacific | Global Esports (Pacific Stage 2 #1) Nongshim RedForce (Pacific Stage 2 #2) Paper Rex (Pacific Points #3) T1 (Pacific Points #4) |
| China | TYLOO (China Stage 2 #1) JD Gaming (China Stage 2 #2) EDward Gaming (China Points #3) Xi Lai Gaming (China Points #4) |
All teams qualified for VALORANT Champions Shanghai.
— Dot Esports (@DotEsports) September 6, 2026
– Sept. 24 to Oct. 18
– 16 teams split into 4 groups of 4
– Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Playoffs
– $2,250,000 prize pool
– Final international of the season pic.twitter.com/hvcFIlLibh
Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | 100 Thieves JD Gaming FUT Esports T1 |
| Group B | Global Esports LOUD EDward Gaming Team Vitality |
| Group C | TYLOO Team Liquid Paper Rex G2 Esports |
| Group D | Karmine Corp Nongshim RedForce NRG Xi Lai Gaming |
Teams to watch out for in VCT Champions 2026 Shanghai
Group A has 100 Thieves arrive as Americas Stage 2 champs and recent Esports World Cup 2026 winners. T1 has a deep roster and experience. JD Gaming and FUT Esports both have the firepower.
Global Esports lead Group B as Pacific’s Stage 2 winners. LOUD’s international pedigree and EDward Gaming’s star power will keep the ceiling high. Team Vitality is seeded fourth from EMEA and could easily make it the group of death.
Group C has TYLOO top the seedings as China’s Stage 2 winners plus has a home-region edge, but they open against G2. Team Liquid and Paper Rex have met in many clashes and can brutally end a team’s run on any given day.
Group D’s Karmine Corp, Nongshim RedForce, and NRG form a triple threat of title contenders. Xi Lai Gaming is also capable of swinging any series if they catch form.
The top two teams from each group will move into the eight-team playoff bracket, which will have double-elimination with all matches Bo3 except the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which are Bo5. The winner takes home $1,000,000 and the Champions trophy.
With Champions 2026 ending this year’s VALORANT season, Riot Games has already announced VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers, starting in November this year, with an open path to Champions for all types of teams.
Where is Champions 2026 being held?
It’s in Shanghai, China, at Jing’an Sports Center and Mercedes-Benz Arena.
When does the tournament start?
The event runs from Sept. 24 to Oct. 18, 2026.
