The road to the biggest VALORANT tournament of the year is almost complete.
VALORANT Champions 2026 will take place in Shanghai, China, from September 24 to October 18, bringing together 16 of the best teams from the four major VCT regions to fight for the title of 2026 VALORANT World Champion.
With Stage 2 still wrapping up in some regions, not every team has secured a spot yet. However, Riot Games has already confirmed several qualified teams alongside the full tournament format, dates and first venue details.
Here is everything officially confirmed about VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 as of September 1, 2026.
Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
Tournament | VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 |
Dates | September 24 – October 18, 2026 |
Location | Shanghai, China |
Teams | 16 |
Regions | Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China |
Group Stage | 4 GSL groups of 4 teams |
Playoffs | 8-team double-elimination bracket |
Early Venue | Jing'an Sports Center |
Finals Venue | Mercedes-Benz Arena |
Champions is the final and most prestigious event on the VCT calendar. One team will leave Shanghai as the 2026 VALORANT World Champion.
Riot's official Champions Shanghai page currently lists 11 teams as qualified.
Region | Qualified Teams |
|---|---|
Americas | NRG |
EMEA | Team Vitality, FUT Esports, Team Liquid, Karmine Corp |
Pacific | Paper Rex, Nongshim RedForce |
China | JD Gaming, Xi Lai Gaming, TYLOO, EDward Gaming |
China is already bringing a stacked four-team lineup, while EMEA has also locked all four of its representatives.
The remaining Champions spots will come from regions where the Stage 2 qualification race has not yet concluded.
Each VCT region sends four teams to Champions.
The qualification system gives places to:
The top two teams from each region's Stage 2 Playoffs
The top two remaining teams based on Championship Points
Across Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China, that produces the final field of 16 teams.
It also means consistency across the entire VCT season matters. A team doesn't necessarily need to win Stage 2 to reach Shanghai if it has built up enough Championship Points throughout the year.
Once all 16 teams reach Shanghai, the tournament begins with the Group Stage.
The 16 teams will be split into four GSL-style groups of four teams.
Every Group Stage match will be played as a best-of-three (Bo3).
The top two teams from each group advance, cutting the field from 16 to eight.
The final eight teams enter a double-elimination bracket.
Most playoff matches are Bo3, while the stakes increase for the final stretch:
Lower Final: Bo5
Grand Final: Bo5
One bad series won't necessarily end a team's run, but once a squad drops into the lower bracket, there is no room left for mistakes.
Champions will begin at the Jing'an Sports Center in Shanghai.
For the biggest matches of the tournament, the action will move to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Pudong for Finals Weekend.
Shanghai already has major VALORANT history. The city hosted Masters Shanghai 2024, and Riot cited the tournament's packed arena and strong fan response when announcing Shanghai as the home of Champions 2026.
Now, the city's crowd gets the biggest event of them all.
Riot has also confirmed the first ticket information for the event.
General ticket sales for the Group Stage and early Playoffs are scheduled to begin on September 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM CST.
International fans will be able to purchase tickets through MAISEAT.
Ticket prices for the Jing'an Sports Center sessions vary depending on the day and seating tier.
Session | Standard Ticket Range |
|---|---|
Weekdays | ¥198 – ¥488 |
Weekends | ¥288 – ¥568 |
Riot is using a real-name ticketing system, so attendees must make sure their identification information matches the details used when purchasing the ticket.
VALORANT Champions Shanghai starts on September 24 and runs until October 18, 2026.
It will close out the 2026 VCT season and crown the year's world champion.
With teams like NRG, Paper Rex, EDward Gaming, Team Liquid, FUT Esports and Team Vitality already locked in, Shanghai is shaping up for a serious showdown.
And if watching the world's best players has you thinking about your own climb, there is always another ranked game waiting.
At Overpowered.gg, you can find professional VALORANT boosting and coaching services designed to help you push toward your next rank and level up your game.
VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 runs from September 24 to October 18, 2026.
The tournament takes place in Shanghai, China, with the early stages at Jing'an Sports Center and Finals Weekend at Mercedes-Benz Arena.
A total of 16 teams will compete at Champions Shanghai.
Eight teams advance to the Playoffs, with the top two teams from each of the four groups moving forward.
The Group Stage features four GSL groups of four teams. The Playoffs use an eight-team double-elimination bracket, with the Lower Final and Grand Final played as Bo5 series.
As of September 1, Riot officially lists NRG, Team Vitality, FUT Esports, Team Liquid, Karmine Corp, Paper Rex, Nongshim RedForce, JD Gaming, Xi Lai Gaming, TYLOO and EDward Gaming as qualified.
Everything confirmed about VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026, including dates, qualified teams, tournament format, venues and ticket details.
Actualizado el: 01.09.2026•Por:
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