LOUD triumph in VALORANT Champions Grand Final and become the first organization to lift the trophy for the second time

The first era of the partnership programme comes to an end where it all began, with LOUD crowned VALORANT Champions. Following their first triumph in 2022, the Brazilian team became the first organisation to win the competition for a second time this year. They defeated Team Vitality in the grand final, claiming their second title four years after their first victory.

After finishing last at VCT Americas Kickoff 2026, few would have expected LOUD to go on to lift the most prestigious trophy of the year with a lineup eventually comprising four rookies and a player with just one year of Tier 1 experience. All five players, none of whom had ever competed at an international tournament before, are now world champions for the first time in their careers.

Team Vitality had won the first meeting between the two sides during the group stage, before LOUD got their revenge in the upper-bracket final of the playoffs this Friday. This best-of-five grand final began with a Brazilian comeback on Summit. Trailing 9-3 at halftime, LOUD turned things around on defence, with Roberto “erde” Lobos delivering an impressive triple kill to close out the first map 13-11. Team Vitality responded on Lotus, a map that had suited them particularly well throughout the tournament, levelling the series with a 13-8 victory.

LOUD then stepped up a gear on Sunset, giving Vitality no room to breathe. Their Duelist, Enzo “tkzin” Zimiani, was particularly influential on his signature Neon, securing another ace in the competition and finishing the series as its top fragger with 77 kills. LOUD completed the job on Haven after a well-executed attacking half that left the French side unable to find enough answers. The Brazilian team, which had entered the tournament as VCT Americas’ second seed, ultimately emerged victorious.

Team Vitality, meanwhile, had nothing to be ashamed of. They had consistently impressed throughout the tournament, and LOUD proved to be the only team capable of stopping them. In the battle between the rookies, Ștefan “Sayonara” Mîtcu put in a commendable performance, but it was not enough to secure the title. Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov suffered another defeat in the final, following his losses in 2021 and last year. He will have to wait longer for his first Champions title.

The 18-year-old in-game leader was also awarded the VALORANT Champions MVP title. Fighting back tears during the post-match interview, the Chilean player revealed that he had learned of his mother’s passing just days before the tournament began. His talent has once again been rewarded. Finishing as the series’ second-highest fragger with 66 kills, behind tkzin, while also leading his team’s calls, erde once again showcased his exceptional ability on his signature agents, Sage and Omen.

This brings the VCT season’s final tournament to a close. LOUD further cements its place in the game’s history while reinforcing the dominance of the Americas region, which has now claimed the last three international titles, including the Esports World Cup. The future of LOUD’s roster remains uncertain, but there is every reason to believe these five players will remain among the top contenders for years to come.