VALORANT Champions 2026 Groups and Teams Revealed

The stage is set for the biggest event on the VALORANT calendar. Following the conclusion of the VCT international league seasons, Riot Games has officially drawn the groups for VALORANT Champions 2026. As reported by Dot Esports on September 10, 2026, the draw has placed the world's 16 best teams into four groups, creating immediate high-stakes matchups and setting the narrative for the path to the trophy. With four teams representing each of the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China leagues, the group stage promises a clash of regional styles from the very first match.

The VALORANT Champions 2026 Groups Are Set

The group draw determines the initial matchups of the tournament, using a GSL-style, double-elimination format within each group. This structure ensures that every team gets a second chance, but also that only the two strongest teams from each pool advance to the playoff bracket. This year's draw has produced some fascinating pools, with at least one clear "group of death" that will force a top-tier team into an early exit.

Here is the full group breakdown for VALORANT Champions 2026:

• **Group A:** Paper Rex (Pacific), FunPlus Phoenix (China), LOUD (Americas), Team Heretics (EMEA)
• **Group B:** Fnatic (EMEA), EDward Gaming (China), Sentinels (Americas), Gen.G (Pacific)
• **Group C:** Leviatán (Americas), DRX (Pacific), Karmine Corp (EMEA), Trace Esports (China)
• **Group D:** 100 Thieves (Americas), Team Liquid (EMEA), T1 (Pacific), Bilibili Gaming (China)

Key Matchups and Narratives to Watch

All eyes are on Group B, which immediately stands out as the most challenging pool. It features EMEA powerhouse Fnatic, VCT Masters winners Sentinels, the ever-dangerous EDward Gaming from China, and Pacific league champions Gen.G. With four legitimate contenders in one group, the opening matches will be incredibly tense. The clash between Sentinels and Fnatic, in particular, is a potential finals preview happening on day one of the group stage, guaranteeing that one of these titans will start their tournament run in the lower bracket.

Group A also presents a compelling storyline with the rematch between Paper Rex and LOUD. These two teams have a history of explosive, fast-paced matches in previous international events, and their opening-round bout will set the tone for the entire group. Meanwhile, Group D pits two of the most popular organizations in the world against each other, as 100 Thieves and Team Liquid vie for a top spot. The performance of the Chinese teams, who have shown rapid improvement, will be a major wildcard across all four groups.

The Path to the Trophy

The tournament begins with the GSL group stage. In each four-team group, the initial matches are played, followed by a winners' match and an elimination match. The winner of the winners' match advances to the playoffs as the first seed from their group. The loser of the elimination match is out of the tournament. The final two teams then play a decider match, with the winner securing the second playoff spot from the group. This format heavily rewards consistency, as a team must win two matches before they lose two.

Once the eight teams emerge from the groups, they will be seeded into a double-elimination playoff bracket. This is where the pressure truly mounts, as every series brings teams one step closer to lifting the Champions trophy or being sent home. For casters and broadcast producers, this structure provides a clear narrative arc, from the chaos of the group stage to the focused intensity of the final bracket run.

What This Means for Your Tournaments

The hype surrounding VALORANT Champions is the perfect opportunity to engage your own community. You can capture the excitement by hosting a tournament that mirrors the professional format. Using a GSL group stage followed by a playoff bracket gives your event a professional feel and provides plenty of matches for all participants. It's a great way to build competitive narratives among your players.

Managing a multi-stage tournament like this can seem complex, but it doesn't have to be. You can get your own event started by running a tournament on HUDrift. Our platform automates the entire process, from a custom signup page to automated Discord DMs that tell players their check-in times and who their next opponent is. This lets you focus on building your community and creating a great broadcast, not on manual coordination. For more advanced broadcast features, you can also join the waitlist for our native desktop app.