Defending World Champions Team Liquid Knocked Out of Game Changers 2026

Defending world champions Team Liquid Brazil have been eliminated from the Game Changers Championship 2026. The Brazilian VALORANT team lost 2-0 to KRÜ Blaze on Wednesday, October 28, finishing in 5th-6th place, its worst result at the world championship.

After winning the title in 2025, Liquid was unable to defend its crown on home soil in São Paulo. Its elimination leaves just four teams in contention: Gentle Mates GC, Shopify Rebellion Gold, KRÜ Blaze, and MIBR GC.

Team Liquid Records Its Worst Game Changers Championship Finish

Liquid had reached the podium in every Game Changers Championship it had attended since its debut in 2022. The team finished third in 2022, reached the final in 2023, and won the world title in 2025. It did not qualify for the 2024 edition.

• 2022: 3rd place
• 2023: Runner-up
• 2024: Did not qualify
• 2025: World champions
• 2026: 5th-6th place

Liquid opened this year's tournament with a 2-0 loss to Gentle Mates GC, dropping into the lower bracket. The team then beat Nova Esports GC and G2 Gozen by 2-0 scores before being knocked out by KRÜ Blaze. Its campaign ended with two series wins and two losses.

In the elimination match, Liquid took an 8-4 lead at halftime on Summit but could not hold on, losing the map 13-9. KRÜ then won Liquid's map pick, Haven, 13-6 to close out the series.

Liquid takes home $25,000 for its finish, from a total tournament prize pool of $500,000.

Which Four Teams Remain at Game Changers Championship 2026?

Gentle Mates GC and Shopify Rebellion Gold remain undefeated in series and will meet in the upper bracket final. Meanwhile, KRÜ Blaze and MIBR GC will face off in a lower bracket elimination match.

MIBR stayed alive by defeating SK Nebula 2-0 on Wednesday, including a 13-0 win on Summit. KRÜ advanced by eliminating the defending champions later that day.

There are no matches on Thursday, October 29. Play resumes on Friday, October 30, with the following matchups and times across the Americas and Europe:

• 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM BRT / 7:00 PM CET: Gentle Mates GC vs. Shopify Rebellion Gold (upper bracket final)
• 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM BRT / 10:00 PM CET: KRÜ Blaze vs. MIBR GC (lower bracket elimination match)

The winner of KRÜ Blaze vs. MIBR will advance to the lower bracket final on Saturday, October 31. The grand final takes place on Sunday, November 1, at Riot Games Arena São Paulo.

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Featured image credit: Riot Games

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