VALORANT Champions 2026 Group Stage Pick'Ems Guide and Predictions

The pinnacle of the VCT season, VALORANT Champions 2026, takes place from September 24 to October 18 in Shanghai, China. Bringing together 16 elite VALORANT teams across four international leagues, the event features a $2.25 million prize pool and a shot at the final VCT trophy before a new era begins. 

Now, the official VALORANT Champions Shanghai Pick'Ems are open in-client and online, giving fans two weeks to lock in predictions before matches kick off on September 24.

The tournament begins with a double-elimination group stage featuring four groups all playing Bo3's, where the top two teams in each group advance to the 8-team playoff bracket. In Pick'Ems, predicting advancing teams earns baseline points, while exact 1st through 4th placement order yields bonus points.

Group A: 100 Thieves & JD Gaming

100 Thieves enters Shanghai as a major favorite after claiming both the VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 crown and the Esports World Cup title. Their strength stems from a disciplined macro game, adaptable compositions, and calm shotcalling. Their consistency in high-pressure retakes makes them prime candidates for 1st place in their group.

Joining them in playoffs, JDG represents one of VCT China's most dangerous contenders. Playing in front of home fans in Shanghai, JDG thrives on mechanical skill, aggression, and relentless entry fragging that catches methodical opponents off-guard.

In double-elimination, JDG’s ability to convert low-buy rounds through clutch plays and explosive site executes gives them the edge needed to navigate deciders and lock down the second playoff slot.

Group B: Global Esports & Team Vitality

Global Esports arrives in Shanghai with momentum after winning VCT Pacific Stage 2 in an epic five-map reverse sweep over Nongshim RedForce. GE’s playoff claim rests on agent-pool flexibility, aggressive adjustments, and proven mental resilience when trailing. That championship confidence equips them to overpower rival group contenders.

Alongside Global Esports, Team Vitality stands out as EMEA’s premier tactical force in Group B. Although their Stage 2 run is not something to be envied, the Golden Hornets still boast deep strategic preparation, pristine utility combinations, and veteran leadership that excels at countering aggressive opponents.

Their disciplined default setups allow them to control map tempo and dictate gunfights on defense. In the deciders, Vitality's strategic playbook will prove decisive in locking down the second playoff spot.

Group C: Paper Rex & TYLOO

Paper Rex enters Champions 2026 as two-time international finalists this season, driven to finally capture the world title. PRX's signature W-gaming train has proven to be quite successful for the rest of the year, save for Stage 2.

Their double-duelist compositions and unmatched mechanical skill allow them to open rounds instantly, making them heavy favorites to dominate Group C.

Securing the second playoff slot, TYLOO will be coming in with immense home-court support inside Shanghai. After making a remarkable lower-bracket run to win VCT CN Stage 2, TYLOO has demonstrated incredible clutch resilience under pressure.

Driven by lethal aim, explosive site hits, and passionate home fans, TYLOO possesses the momentum required to out-frag opposition and earn a historic playoff berth.

Group D: NRG & Karmine Corp

Group D stands out as the ultimate "Group of Death," featuring World Champions and elite regional contenders. 

NRG, the reigning VALORANT Champions 2025 winners, enter Shanghai attempting an unprecedented back-to-back World Championship. NRG’s incredible discipline and team play will be one of the primary reasons they make it to the playoffs. 

Their flawless site protocols, meticulous spacing during trades, and world-class utility synchronization ensure they rarely throw advantages, allowing them to methodically dismantle opposition in high-stakes matches.

Accompanying NRG into playoffs, Karmine Corp brings EMEA's most dynamic playstyle to Group D. KC combines disciplined map control with explosive, unpredictable pacing that forces errors from rigid teams.

Their mid-round adjustments and clutch conversion rate will prove vital in surviving this brutal group to capture the final playoff berth.

Pick'Ems Rewards

Participation in the VALORANT Champions 2026 Pick'Ems grants tiered in-game cosmetic rewards based on your overall prediction performance and leaderboard standing:

• Participation (Locking in any prediction): "Calculated" title

• Top 50% Performance: "Stone of Heaven" gun buddy

• Top 20% Performance: "Pick'Ems Master: Stone of Heaven" gun buddy

• Perfect Pick'Ems (100% Correct Board): Correctly guess every advancing team and exact placement across the tournament to unlock the "100%" title

Final Pick'Ems Strategy & Lock Deadline

To maximize your Pick'Ems score, ensure you rank every team from 1st to 4th in all four groups rather than just picking top-two qualifiers, as exact placement bonus points are essential for top leaderboard ranks. 

Complete and lock your predictions before the September 24 deadline to claim your free participation rewards and begin your climb to Pick'Ems glory!

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Featured Image Credit: Siyuan Hu/Riot Games

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VALORANT Champions 2026: Teams, Format, Schedule, and more

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