Americas Dominates Pacific as LOUD and NRG Win in Champions 2026 Playoffs

The VALORANT Champions 2026 playoffs began with a strong opening statement from the Americas. NRG and LOUD both won their opening series 2-0 on October 7, sending T1 and Paper Rex to the lower bracket and setting up an all-Americas upper semifinal.

NRG Takes Down T1 in Straight Maps

NRG opened the playoff stage against T1 and needed a comeback to take the Korean team's map pick. T1 led 7-5 at halftime on Lotus, but NRG turned the map around on defense and closed it out 13-11.

The second map was far more comfortable for the Americas representative. NRG took Summit 13-7 to complete the sweep and become the first team to reach the upper semifinals.

LOUD Completes Two Comebacks Against Paper Rex

LOUD followed with another 2-0 for the Americas, although the scoreline did not fully reflect how competitive the series was. Paper Rex led 8-4 on its Split pick before LOUD took nine of the next ten rounds to turn the map around and win 13-9.

Paper Rex built an even larger advantage on Sunset, reaching halftime with a 9-3 lead and later getting to map point. LOUD gradually erased the deficit on defense, forced overtime and completed the comeback 15-13.

Americas Has Half of the Champions 2026 Playoff Field

The opening day reinforced a storyline that was already developing before the playoffs. All four teams representing the Americas advanced from the group stage, while no other region sent as many teams into the top eight. The first two playoff series then produced two more wins for the region, both against Pacific opponents and both without dropping a map.

Before facing Paper Rex, LOUD IGL Roberto "erde" Lobos told THESPIKE that he considered Americas the strongest region at the tournament.

"I would say America is the best region right now. I think there's no doubt, to be fair."

erde also specifically mentioned Paper Rex before the playoff draw, saying he wanted to face the Pacific team and describing the potential matchup as a meeting between "the biggest team of Brazil" and "the biggest team in the Pacific." The draw produced exactly that matchup, with LOUD taking the series in straight maps.

What's Next in the Champions 2026 Playoffs?

The win sends LOUD into an upper semifinal against NRG on October 10, a rematch of two series from the VCT Americas Stage 2 playoffs. NRG won their first meeting 2-1 before LOUD answered with a 3-2 victory in the lower bracket.

The region is also guaranteed a third win in the opening round. 100 Thieves and G2 Esports face each other on October 8, meaning at least three Americas teams will reach the upper semifinals. Team Vitality and Nongshim RedForce will play the other quarterfinal later that day.

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Featured image credit: Riot Games

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