NRG qualify for Champions after defeating LOUD in VCT Americas

NRG have qualified for VALORANT Champions Shanghai after defeating LOUD by the score of 2-1 in the upper semifinals of VCT Americas Stage 2 on Friday, August 28. The result guaranteed NRG at least a top-three finish in the regional playoffs and secured their place at the final international event of the 2026 VCT season via the Americas Championship points.

The victory also sends NRG to the upper final, where they will face 100 Thieves for a spot in the Stage 2 Grand Final. LOUD, meanwhile, dropped to the lower bracket and will have another opportunity to continue their run toward the Champions qualification race.

The series began on Ascent, where NRG took control of the opening map and secured a 13-7 victory. LOUD struggled to keep pace with NRG's defense and entered the second map needing a response to avoid falling into the lower bracket.

Abyss provided a different story. LOUD recovered throughout the map and managed to close it out 13-11, forcing the deciding map. NRG responded on Lotus, however, controlling the final map from the beginning. The North American team secured a 13-5 victory to close the series 2-1 and book its place in the upper final.

According to the VCT format, the top two teams from Stage 2 qualify directly for Champions, while additional places are awarded through Championship Points. NRG's result against LOUD guaranteed the team a top-three finish and, combined with its Championship Points total, made its Champions qualification secure.

NRG entered the Stage 2 playoffs with 16 Championship Points, already sitting among the teams competing for the final Champions places in the Americas. After the victory over LOUD, the organization reached 21 points and could no longer be overtaken in the qualification race.

The Champions qualification gives NRG another opportunity to compete on the international stage after a 2026 season that has already included appearances at Masters Santiago and Masters London. The organization won the 2025 Champions and is now looking to defend its title as the tournament's reigning champion.

VALORANT Champions Shanghai is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 18, with 16 teams from the four VCT regions competing for the world championship.