VALORANT Champions 2026: Group draw sets Shanghai matchups

Riot Games revealed the group draw for VALORANT Champions 2026, to be held in Shanghai, and confirmed the tournament opens on Sept. 24. The draw was published after VCT Americas 2026: Stage 2 concluded, where 100 Thieves won the regional title. Riot has not released a full match schedule or the complete bracket beyond the initial pairings.

The group stage divides teams into four groups. Group A pairs 100 Thieves with T1 and JD Gaming with FUT Esports. Group B matches Global Esports with Team Vitality and LOUD with EDward Gaming. Group C pairs TYLOO with G2 Esports and Team Liquid with Paper Rex. Group D sets Karmine Corp against Xi Lai Gaming and Nongshim RedForce against NRG.

Several teams arrive in Shanghai with recent regional or international titles. 100 Thieves won VCT Americas 2026: Stage 2. Global Esports won VCT Pacific 2026: Stage 2. TYLOO won VCT China 2026: Stage 2. Nongshim RedForce won VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026. NRG are the reigning VALORANT Champions from 2025.

Other team notes in the draw include FUT Esports, whose lineup made international debuts at Masters London 2026, and LOUD, which reached its regional final after a Lower Bracket run and a final that went to overtime. EDward Gaming, JD Gaming and TYLOO will play matches in front of local audiences in Shanghai.

The draw sets opening matchups that will determine the initial paths toward the Playoffs, but Riot has not provided match times or the full bracket format. Organizers confirmed the start date and the group pairings; further scheduling and match order remain pending.

VALORANT Champions 2026 will conclude the VCT season in Shanghai beginning Sept. 24, bringing the season’s top teams together to compete for the championship.

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