LOUD Returns to Champions Grand Finals Stage for the First Time in Four Years

Four years after lifting the trophy in Istanbul, LOUD are returning to the VALORANT Champions Grand Finals. But this time, it’s with a completely new roster. 

In a high-stakes Upper Bracket Final at Champions 2026 Shanghai, the South American powerhouse secured a 2-1 victory over Team Vitality. This victory guaranteed LOUD a spot in the grand finale, echoing their legendary 2022 title-winning run where they last reached this position.

A Turbulent 2026 Transformed Into Grand Final Glory

LOUD’s path to Shanghai was filled with challenges. The team endured a dismal start to 2026, finishing 11th–12th in VCT Americas Kickoff and 7th–8th in Stage 1. However, mid-season roster adjustments transformed the squad. 

The addition of Chilean captain Roberto "erde" Daniel Lobos Paradain in March, followed by the loaning Enzo "tkzin" Guimarães Zimiani from KRÜ Spark and signing David "DaviH" Cruz Fonseca in July alongside core members Lucca "lukxo" Travaioli and Juan "Darker" Sebastián Castro Cicuamia, sparked a dramatic turnaround.

In this series alone, lukxo and erde went absolutely feral, securing 64 and 54 kills, respectively, leading the rest of the lobby by a wide margin. Both players ended the series with a 1.34 rating, but lukxo comes out ahead in ACS with 280, compared to erde’s 251.

Image Source: Screenshot from THESPIKE.GG

Parallel Paths: The 2022 Core vs. The 2026 Roster

The comparison to LOUD’s 2022 championship team is undeniable. While the iconic 2022 lineup featured superstar firepower in Erick "aspas" Santos and Gustavo "Sacy" Henrique Rossi da Silva, the 2026 roster has forged its own identity through tactical flexibility and a signature aggresiveness. 

Remarkably, both squads shared the exact same playoffs trajectory: navigating through the Upper Bracket undefeated in playoff series to lock in a Grand Final spot straight from the upper side of the bracket.

Impact on LOUD and Team Vitality

The Upper Final served as redemption for LOUD, who had previously suffered a 0-2 sweep against Team Vitality during Group B play. 

For LOUD, this triumph validates their roster overhaul and puts them one win away from a second World Championship. For Vitality, the defeat sends them down to the Lower Bracket Final, where they must regroup to fight for a rematch.

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Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

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