Champions 2026 schedule, format and 16-team field confirmed for Shanghai

Valorant Champions 2026 runs Sept 24–Oct 18 in Shanghai with 16 teams, GSL-style groups and a double-elimination playoff; venues and group draws are published.

In this brief: 3 sections 1 min read

- Group Stage: Sept 24–Oct 4 — four GSL-style, four-team double-elimination groups
- Top two teams from each group advance to Playoffs
- Playoffs: Oct 7–18 — eight-team double-elimination bracket; most matches Bo3, Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final Bo5
- Group stage and early playoffs: Jing’an Sports Center
- Finals weekend (top four): Mercedes‑Benz Arena (≈18,000 capacity)
- Official streams: Riot’s VCT/Valorant channels on Twitch and YouTube; regional feeds available
- Qualified teams include NRG, 100 Thieves, LOUD, G2, Karmine Corp, Team Liquid, Global Esports, Nongshim RedForce, Paper Rex, T1, TYLOO, JD Gaming, EDward Gaming, XLG, FUT and Vitality
- Insider Gaming published a four‑group draw (Groups A–D) with full team placements

Read full analysis on insider-gaming.com

Useful?