Since the
VCT Americas Stage 2 final, in which
100 Thieves defeated
LOUD, all sixteen teams qualified for
VALORANT Champions are known, along with their respective seeding for the competition. The draw therefore took place on stage in São Paulo just a few minutes after the final.
The teams, with four representatives from each region, were divided into four different pots to form four groups, with each group featuring one team from each pot and one from each region. The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs after winning two matches. The competition will begin in Shanghai on September 24 and conclude on October 18.
Group A
- 100 Thieves (Americas #1)
- JD Gaming (China #2)
- FUT Esports (EMEA #3)
- T1 (Pacific #4)
Recent winners of
both VCT Americas and the Esports World Cup,
100 Thieves enter the group as the clear favorites. The American team will face T1 in the opening match of the competition, with the Korean side needing to rise to the occasion if they hope to secure a positive result.
Meanwhile, FUT Esports can realistically aim for qualification, beginning their campaign against JD Gaming, who will be making their first-ever Champions appearance. The Turkish side are the only team in the group to have previously reached the competition’s playoffs, having done so in 2023.
Group B
- Global Esports (Pacific #1)
- LOUD (Americas #2)
- EDward Gaming (China #3)
- Team Vitality (EMEA #4)
Having won VCT Pacific for the first time in their history, Global Esports have not been handed an easy draw, with a matchup against Team Vitality awaiting them in their opening game. Despite the disappointment of VCT EMEA Stage 2, the French team still boasts players with significant international experience and secured a top-four finish at Masters London.
The same can be said of EDward Gaming,
who recently added Park “stew” Young-chan to their roster. The Chinese team will face the new-look, young LOUD roster in the opening match, in a clash between former world champions.
Group C
- TYLOO (China #1)
- Team Liquid (EMEA #2)
- Paper Rex (Pacific #3)
- G2 Esports (Americas #4)
This appears to be the most open group, with the outcome likely to depend heavily on each team’s current form. G2, whose regional dominance came to an end after winning four consecutive VCT Americas titles, will face TYLOO, the surprise winners of VCT China. Although G2 have historically struggled to replicate their domestic success on the international stage, they arguably have more experience playing together than their opponents.
Meanwhile, Team Liquid have not reached the Champions playoffs since 2022. On that occasion, the team had to overcome... Paper Rex, whom they will face again in their opening match. The Singaporean side could have been considered one of the tournament’s clear favorites just a few weeks ago, but following a disappointing Stage 2, questions remain over what level they will bring to the competition.
Group D
- Karmine Corp (EMEA #1)
- Nongshim RedForce (Pacific #2)
- NRG (Americas #3)
- Xi Lai Gaming (China #4)
Defending world champions NRG will put their title on the line in what appears to be the group of death. The Americans will first face Nongshim RedForce, the first Masters winners of the season. The Korean team, who narrowly lost the VCT Pacific Stage 2 final, appear to be approaching the level they displayed at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, Karmine Corp, who mounted a surprising comeback during Stage 2, will face a significant challenge in their first-ever Champions appearance. The French team will begin their campaign against XLG Esports, who, despite making numerous appearances at international events in recent years, will need to produce their best performance yet to make it out of this group.
