VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 will crown the ultimate world champion of the present VCT franchise period, and 14 of the 16 competing groups are actually confirmed. Riot Video games will host the event in Shanghai, China, from September 24 to October 18, marking the primary time China levels VALORANT‘s largest occasion of the 12 months. 4 groups have already certified from the China, EMEA, and Pacific leagues, whereas 2 of the 4 Americas spots stay open.
This text lists each confirmed group, explains the qualification paths, and covers the format and prize pool for the event.
VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 Certified Groups
Sixteen groups will compete at VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026, with 4 coming from every of the 4 worldwide leagues: China, EMEA, Pacific, and Americas.
Groups qualify by 2 paths. The highest 2 finishers in every league’s Stage 2 playoffs earn a direct spot. The remaining 2 spots per league go to the highest-ranked groups in Championship Factors, primarily based on outcomes throughout Kickoff, Stage 1, and the two Masters occasions.
| Area | Crew | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| China | JD Gaming | Stage 2 |
| China | TYLOO | Stage 2 |
| China | EDward Gaming | Championship Factors |
| China | Xi Lai Gaming | Championship Factors |
| Pacific | Paper Rex | Championship Factors |
| Pacific | Nongshim RedForce | Championship Factors |
| Pacific | World Esports | Confirmed |
| Pacific | T1 | Confirmed |
| EMEA | Crew Vitality | Championship Factors |
| EMEA | FUT Esports | Championship Factors |
| EMEA | Crew Liquid | Stage 2 |
| EMEA | Karmine Corp | Stage 2 |
| Americas | NRG | Championship Factors |
| Americas | G2 Esports | Championship Factors |
| Americas | TBD | Stage 2 |
| Americas | TBD | Stage 2 |
China and Pacific had been the primary leagues to lock in all 4 representatives. EMEA adopted with Vitality, FUT, Crew Liquid, and Karmine Corp all confirmed. Americas continues to be finalizing its Stage 2 playoffs, so its last 2 seats stay open.
NRG returns because the defending 2025 champion. Earlier Champions embody Evil Geniuses in 2023 and EDward Gaming in 2024.
VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 Format
The 16 certified groups shall be break up into 4 teams of 4, with every group containing 1 group from each area. Group play makes use of a GSL-style double-elimination format, with all matches performed as best-of-three. Two groups from every group advance, whereas the opposite two are eradicated.
The playoff stage additionally runs on double-elimination. All playoff matches are best-of-three, besides the grand last, which is performed as a best-of-five.
Schedule and Prize Pool
VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 runs from September 24 to October 18. The occasion carries a complete prize pool of $2.25 million, with $1 million going to the profitable group.
This would be the final Champions held below VCT’s present franchise construction. The tour strikes to a extra open format beginning in 2027. Shanghai beforehand hosted VALORANT Masters in 2024, the place Gen.G Esports gained the title.
Hi, I’m Rishab. I’m a passionate pc gamer and an avid video game content writer. I have been involved with video games for over 2 decades now, and even today, after playing an astronomical number of games over the years, I’m still eager for more. In my free time, you will find me enjoying a hot cup of coffee and playing my favorite relaxing fishing game, Dave the Diver.
