VALORANT Champions Shanghai Playoffs Begin with Eight Teams
Written with artificial intelligence.
The VALORANT Champions Shanghai playoffs commence on October 7, featuring eight teams that advanced from the group stage. Notable participants include four teams from the Americas and three from the Pacific region, with defending champions NRG aiming for a repeat title.
Overview of the Playoffs
The VALORANT Champions Shanghai is entering its playoff phase starting October 7, 2026. This follows a competitive group stage held from September 24 to October 4 at the Jing’an Sports Center in Shanghai. The playoffs will feature a double-elimination format, showcasing the highest-stakes matches of the tournament.
Teams Advancing to the Playoffs
Eight teams have qualified for the playoffs:
- Americas Representatives: 100 Thieves, NRG, and two more teams.
- Pacific Representatives: Paper Rex, T1, and Nongshim RedForce.
- EMEA Representative: Team Vitality.
All four teams from the Americas succeeded in advancing, while three Pacific teams made it through. Notably, Paper Rex went undefeated in its group, achieving wins over Team Liquid and G2.
Upcoming Matches
The first playoff matches will occur on October 7, with the following fixtures:
- T1 vs. NRG (defending champions)
- Paper Rex vs. LOUD
- Nongshim RedForce vs. Team Vitality on October 8
Tournament Context
NRG seeks to become the first team to win back-to-back Champions titles, having won in 2025. The Americas region has historically dominated this tournament, claiming three titles since its inception in 2021. The Pacific region continues its quest for a first Champions title, with Paper Rex’s runner-up finish in 2023 being its best result to date.