VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026: Teams, Dates & Format

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.

VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 Overview

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.

Qualified Teams for VALORANT Champions 2026

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.

How Do Teams Qualify for Champions Shanghai?

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.

VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 Format

Once all 16 teams reach Shanghai, the tournament begins with the Group Stage.

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.

Playoffs

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.

Where Will VALORANT Champions 2026 Be Played?

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.

Champions Shanghai Tickets

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.

When Does VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 Start?

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 FAQ

When is VALORANT Champions 2026?

VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 runs from September 24 to October 18, 2026.

Where is VALORANT Champions 2026?

The tournament takes place in Shanghai, China, with the early stages at Jing'an Sports Center and Finals Weekend at Mercedes-Benz Arena.

How many teams are in VALORANT Champions 2026?

A total of 16 teams will compete at Champions Shanghai.

How many teams advance from the Group Stage?

Eight teams advance to the Playoffs, with the top two teams from each of the four groups moving forward.

What format does VALORANT Champions 2026 use?

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.

Who has qualified for VALORANT Champions 2026?

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.