The day has finally arrived. From September 12 to October 5, the 16 strongest VALORANT teams on the planet will converge on the French capital to battle for Champions Paris and the chance to succeed EDward Gaming as titleholders. The crown jewel of the season unfolds in two stages: a GSL-format Group Stage, followed by a double-elimination playoff bracket. The opening phase will span ten days, concluding on September 22.

The 16 teams have been seeded into four groups, each composed of one representative from every region—Americas, EMEA, China, and Pacific. Two wins secure qualification for the playoffs, while two losses mean elimination. Following the opening round, teams will face opponents with the same record. In each group, two squads will advance: one with a 2-0 record, and the other with a 2-1. For the first playoff round, the teams advancing at 2-0 will be paired against those advancing at 2-1.

Played in BO3

The opening matches of each group will be played on consecutive days from September 12 to 15, with one group featured per day. The initial qualifying matches, pitting the winners of the first round against one another, are scheduled for September 17 and 18. The first elimination matches, featuring the teams defeated in the opening round, will follow on September 19 and 20. Finally, the decider matches between teams holding a 1-1 record will take place on September 21 and 22.

The entirety of the GSL Group Stage will be played in best-of-three series, as will the majority of the playoffs. Only the lower bracket final and the grand final will be contested in a best-of-five. Most of the competition will take place at the Arènes d’Évry-Courcouronnes, with the event culminating in a three-day finale at the Accor Arena in Bercy. This article will track the evolution of the GSL Group Stage and the teams securing their place in the playoffs.