Valorant Champions is the biggest event in Valorant esports. It is the final stop on the Valorant Champions Tour, also known as the VCT. Sixteen of the best teams in the world come together to answer one big question: who is number one? This year the event is in Shanghai, China. It started on 24 September and will end on 18 October. Right now, the race is getting very close.
This guide explains Valorant Champions in clear words. You'll learn how the event works, how much money is at stake and who is still in the fight. All facts are as of October 12.
Riot Games creates Valorant. Every year, Riot runs a long season of matches. Teams from four regions participate: Americas, EMEA, China and Pacific. They earn points in the regional stages and two big world events called the Masters. The teams with the best results win a spot in Valorant Champions.
Several teams start the year, but only sixteen teams reach this stage. The winner receives the trophy and the title of world champion. Last year NRG won the trophy. In 2022, Brazil's LOUD won it.
First comes the group stage. It ran from September 24 to October 4. The sixteen teams were drawn into four groups called A, B, C and D. Each match was best out of three. This means that a team must win two maps to win the match.
Each group used the same plan. The teams played the inaugural match. The winners then played each other and the losers played an elimination match. Win two matches and you move on. Lose two and you go home. In the end, two teams from each group ahead. That left eight teams for the playoffs.
The playoffs will run from October 7 to October 18. They use a double elimination bracket. If you lose once, you move to the lower bracket. If you lose again, you are out. The lower bracket finals and grand finals are both best-of-five, so a team must win three maps.
The total prize pool is $2,250,000. The top places are paid as follows:
| Place | Prize Money |
| 1st | $1,000,000 |
| 2nd | $400,000 |
| 3rd | $250,000 |
| 4th | $130,000 |
| 5th–6th | $85,000 each |
| 7th–8th | $50,000 each |
Two teams from each group advanced to the playoffs. Here they are:
| Group | Group Winner | Runner-Up |
| A | 100 Thieves | T1 |
| B | Team Vitality | LOUD |
| C | Paper Rex | G2 Esports |
| D | NRG | Nongshim RedForce |
These teams come from America, Europe and the Pacific Ocean. Nongshim Redforce also won the Masters event in Santiago earlier this year, so they came in with a lot of hype.
There was sad news for the host country. China sent four teams to Shanghai. All four were out by October 2. Edwards Gaming was the last team from China to win the Valorant Champions, and fans were hoping for a repeat. This time it did not happen.
The playoffs have been full of big moments. Last year's winner NRG is already out. Here are the results so far:
| Round | Match | Score |
| Upper quarterfinal | G2 Esports vs 100 Thieves | 2-0 |
| Upper quarterfinal | Team Vitality vs Nongshim RedForce | 2-1 |
| Upper quarterfinal | NRG vs T1 | 2-0 |
| Upper quarterfinal | LOUD vs Paper Rex | 2-0 |
| Upper semifinal | Team Vitality vs G2 Esports | 2-0 |
| Upper semifinal | LOUD vs NRG | 2-1 |
| Lower round 1 | 100 Thieves vs Nongshim RedForce | 2-1 |
| Lower round 1 | T1 vs Paper Rex | 2-1 |
| Lower round 2 | 100 Thieves vs NRG | 2-0 |
| Lower round 2 | G2 Esports vs T1 | 2-1 |
In each row, the team named first is the winner. Notice the 100 Thieves. They dropped to the lower bracket early, but they did not give up. They defeated two strong teams consecutively. G2 Esports also struggled to survive.
Four matches are left. Here is the schedule:
| Date | Match |
| October 16 | Upper Final: Team Vitality vs LOUD |
| October 16 | Lower Round 3: 100 Thieves vs G2 Esports |
| October 17 | Lower Bracket Final |
| October 18 | Grand Final |
The winner of the Upper Final goes straight to the Grand Final. Team Vitality brings a lineup with Chronicle, Derke, PROFEK, Jamppi, and Sayonara. LOUD have Darker, DaviH, lukxo, erde, and tkzin. Both teams have played well all week, so expect a great match.
You don't need to know every rule to enjoy Valorant Champions. Here are some easy tips.
Valorant Champions has everything a fan could want. There's top skill, big money, last-minute comebacks and a trophy every team dreams of. The final week is here, and the best matches may still be ahead. Pick a team, pick a side and enjoy the show.
Valorant Champions is the final tournament of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), where the top teams compete for the world championship title.
Sixteen teams qualify for Valorant Champions and compete in the group stage and playoffs.
The total prize pool is $2.25 million, with $1 million awarded to the winning team.
According to the October 12 update, Team Vitality, LOUD, 100 Thieves, and G2 Esports remain in the race for the playoffs.
The grand finale is scheduled for October 18, 2026 in Shanghai, China.
