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VALORANT Champions 2026 Preview: Who Will Reach the Playoffs?
VALORANT Champions 2026 is almost here, bringing the best teams in the world together to compete for the most prestigious trophy of the VALORANT season. Set to take place in Shanghai, the tournament draw has already revealed the groups and opening matches.
With the competition just around the corner, let's take a closer look at the matchups and the teams favored to secure a spot in the Playoffs.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Matches
VALORANT Champions Shanghai kicks off on September 24, with the official schedule yet to be revealed by Riot Games. The tournament draw took place immediately after the conclusion of VCT Americas 2026: Stage 2, which saw 100 Thieves crowned as champions.
| Group | Matches |
| A |
100 Thieves vs T1 |
| B | |
| C |
TYLOO vs G2 Esports |
| D |
Group A: A Good Chance for Americas
As the recently crowned VCT Americas 2026: Stage 2 champions, 100 Thieves enter Group A with a favorable opportunity to make a deep run. While they will face T1, a strong opponent, their comfort with the current meta and map pool could give them an edge.
Combined with T1's recent struggles regionally, the organization has a strong chance of making it out of Group A.
The home-crowd advantage could give JD Gaming an extra boost against FUT Esports. However, the European organization impressed during Masters London 2026, carrying strong momentum and energy onto the international stage despite most of its lineup making their international debut at the event.
With both teams bringing different strengths into the matchup, this could be one of the most unpredictable matches of the group stage. 100 Thieves and FUT Esports are the favorites to come out on top in this group.
Group B: B for Banger Matches
One of the most interesting groups at VALORANT Champions 2026, Group B features a stacked matchup between Global Esports and Team Vitality. Two very different teams will bring some of the best players in the world to the international stage, making this a difficult match to predict.
The series could easily go either way, but GE’s recent victory at VCT Pacific 2026: Stage 2, combined with their overall form, makes them a particularly dangerous opponent in this matchup.
As for LOUD, all we can do is wish them good luck as they enter dangerous territory against EDward Gaming on Chinese soil. The home crowd is expected to be heavily behind EDG, giving the Chinese organization an additional edge.
Not only that, but EDG are looking to bring international success back to China. The organization was the last Chinese team to win an international title in 2024, and they will be eager to prove themselves on the international stage once again. That hunger could make EDG an even more dangerous opponent at Champions.
However, LOUD are coming off a historic Lower Bracket run, finishing just one overtime away from the regional title and carrying plenty of momentum into Champions. Their talented young roster will also be eager to prove themselves on the international stage.
Global Esports and EDward Gaming could be the favorites to advance from the group, but LOUD will be a strong contender as well.
Group C: Here Comes Paper Rex Again
Playing in front of their home crowd, TYLOO enter the matchup as both the Stage 2 champions and the favorites against G2 Esports. Despite the American organization having a large fanbase worldwide, their current struggles to adapt to the meta could make it difficult to overcome TYLOO’s aggressive and confident playstyle.
However, G2’s international experience could still give them an edge and allow them to pull off an upset. Overall, this season has been a difficult one for them, making it hard to predict how they will handle another international campaign.
As for Team Liquid, pulling off an upset against Paper Rex will be a difficult task. Paper Rex have consistently looked like a stacked team on the international stage, and the odds are clearly not in EMEA’s favor in this matchup.
TYLOO and Paper Rex enter Group C as the favorites to advance.
Group D: The Group of Glory
A stacked group featuring several recent winners going head-to-head. Xi Lai Gaming will have the home-crowd advantage, but Karmine Corp are likely to take the first victory.
Despite qualifying for every international event in 2026, XLG could have a tough time against Karmine Corp, especially given the weak track record of Chinese teams on the international stage since 2024.
NRG and Nongshim RedForce will face off in a highly anticipated matchup between the reigning VALORANT Champions winners and the Masters Santiago champions. NRG will be looking to defend their title, while NS RedForce will be aiming to add another international trophy to their collection after their impressive rise from the Tier 2 scene.
This one is shaping up to be a true banger, with either team more than deserving of the win.
Considering the current meta, NS RedForce might feel slightly more comfortable, but NRG now boasts a very strong map pool that could make the difference.
Both NRG and NS RedForce are the favorites to advance from Group D, but Karmine Corp could also emerge as a serious contender.
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Featured image credit: // Riot Games
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100 Thieves Edge Out LOUD in a 5 Map Banger to Win VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2
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