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The biggest tournament of the competitive VALORANT season 2026 is almost here. VALORANT Champions 2026, the final major event of the VCT calendar, will bring together 16 of the world's best teams for one last battle for the championship title.
The highly anticipated tournament will be held in Shanghai, China, from September 24 to October 18, 2026. With a massive $2.25 million prize pool at stake, teams will be aiming to end their competitive season on the highest possible note.
Following the completion of the regional stages, all 16 VALORANT Champions 2026 teams have now been confirmed. The participants have been divided into four groups of four, with the top teams from each group advancing to the Playoffs.
VALORANT Champions 2026: All 16 Qualified Teams and Groups Revealed
The 16 qualified teams have been placed into four groups for the opening stage. Here is the complete group-wise lineup:
Group A: 100 Thieves, JD Gaming, FUT Esports and T1
- 100 Thieves
- JD Gaming
- FUT Esports
- T1
Group B: Global Esports, LOUD, EDward Gaming and Team Vitality
- Global Esports
- LOUD
- EDward Gaming
- Team Vitality
Group C: TYLOO, Team Liquid, Paper Rex and G2 Esports
- TYLOO
- Team Liquid
- Paper Rex
- G2 Esports
Group D: Karmine Corp, Nongshim RedForce, NRG and XLG Esports
- Karmine Corp
- Nongshim RedForce
- NRG
- XLG Esports
With several established international organizations in the lineup, fans can expect some exciting matchups from the very beginning of VALORANT Champions 2026.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Dates: When and Where Is the Tournament?
The tournament will take place in Shanghai, China, and will run for several weeks before the champion is crowned.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | VALORANT Champions 2026 |
| Start Date | September 24, 2026 |
| Grand Final | October 18, 2026 |
| Host City | Shanghai, China |
| Total Teams | 16 |
| Prize Pool | $2.25 million |
The event will serve as the final major tournament of the 2026 VCT season, making it the biggest opportunity for teams to finish the year with an international championship.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Format: How Will the Tournament Work?
The competition will begin with a 16-team Group Stage, featuring four groups of four teams each.
The Group Stage will follow a double-elimination GSL format, meaning teams will not be eliminated after their first defeat.
All group-stage matches will be played in a best-of-three (BO3) format. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Playoffs, resulting in an eight-team knockout stage.
Playoff Format: Eight Teams Battle for the Championship
The Playoffs will feature an eight-team double-elimination bracket.
Most playoff matches will be played as best-of-three series. However, the two most important matches will use a longer format:
- Lower Bracket Final: Best-of-five
- Grand Final: Best-of-five
The format gives teams an opportunity to recover from an early loss while ensuring that the final stages of the tournament feature high-stakes, longer series.
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VALORANT Champions 2026 Prize Pool: Winner to Earn $1 Million
A total of $2.25 million will be distributed among the participating teams at VALORANT Champions 2026. The winner will take home a huge $1 million prize.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000,000 |
| 2nd | $400,000 |
| 3rd | $250,000 |
| 4th | $130,000 |
The championship will be one of the biggest opportunities for the participating teams to finish the 2026 competitive season with a major international title.
VALORANT Champions 2026: Which Teams Are the Favorites?
With 16 teams representing different regions and competitive backgrounds, Champions 2026 has the ingredients for a highly competitive tournament.
Teams such as Paper Rex, G2 Esports, Team Liquid, T1, EDward Gaming, NRG and 100 Thieves will be among the names attracting significant attention from fans.
However, the double-elimination format means that a poor start does not necessarily end a team's championship hopes. A strong lower-bracket run could completely change the tournament picture.
Why VALORANT Champions 2026 Is a Must-Watch Event
VALORANT Champions 2026 represents the culmination of the competitive VALORANT season. With 16 teams, a $2.25 million prize pool, a double-elimination format and a best-of-five Grand Final, there is plenty at stake in Shanghai.
The group draw has also created several potentially exciting matchups, while the Playoffs will determine which teams can handle the pressure when the championship is on the line.
VALORANT Champions 2026: Key Details at a Glance
- Event: VALORANT Champions 2026
- Dates: September 24 to October 18, 2026
- Venue: Shanghai, China
- Teams: 16
- Groups: 4
- Group Format: Double-elimination GSL
- Playoff Format: Eight-team double elimination
- Group Matches: Best-of-three
- Lower Bracket Final: Best-of-five
- Grand Final: Best-of-five
- Prize Pool: $2.25 million
- Winner's Prize: $1 million
Final Verdict: Who Will Win VALORANT Champions 2026?
The stage is set for VALORANT Champions 2026. With all 16 teams confirmed and the tournament heading to Shanghai, the world's best VALORANT players will battle for the final major trophy of the 2026 season.
The action begins on September 24, while the new VALORANT world champion will be crowned on October 18. With $2.25 million on the line, every series could have a major impact on the road to the title.
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