Summary:
- All sixteen teams participating in VALORANT Champions 2025 have now been drawn into four groups from the tournament’s Group Stage.
- Starting on September 12 to 22, the Group Stage will be held at the Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud, with two teams from each group advancing to the Playoffs.
- Each drawn group offers a different storyline and things to anticipate, whether it’s new match ups or classic rivalries.
Paris is gearing up for another big moment in VALORANT esports with the upcoming VALORANT Champions 2025 tournament. Sixteen of the best teams from around the world will face off, split into four groups for the opening stage. With the VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 Group Draw now complete, fans finally know the first matchups for the biggest event of the season. Here’s the complete list of groups and matchups starting on September 12.
VALORANT Champions 2025: Format and Schedule
The VALORANT Champions 2025 tournament will take place in Paris from September 12 to October 5. The contending teams will battle across two stages: the group stage and the playoffs, leading up to the Grand Final.
Group Stage
The group stage runs from September 12 to 22 at Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud. Through the VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 Group Draw, teams are divided into four groups of four. They would then be competing in a double-elimination GSL format. All matches will be best-of-three, and the top two teams from each group will move on to the playoffs.
Playoffs and Finals
The playoffs begin on September 25 and conclude with the Grand Final on October 5 at the Accor Arena. This stage also follows a double-elimination format, with most matches as best-of-three. The Lower Bracket Final and the Grand Final, however, will be best-of-five, ensuring teams have every opportunity to fight their way to the championship.
Group A – Paper Rex, Sentinels, GIANTX, XLG Esports
Paper Rex, the Masters Toronto champions, will face Sentinels, one of North America’s most popular teams. Sentinels were originally drawn elsewhere but had to be moved to this group to keep the regions balanced. Also joining them are GIANTX from EMEA and XLG Esports from China.
Paper Rex’s fast, aggressive style will challenge Sentinels’ more structured approach. Meanwhile, GIANTX and XLG may be seen as underdogs, but both teams are capable of pulling off upsets if the favorites falter.
Opening Matches:
- Paper Rex vs. XLG Esports
- Sentinels vs. GIANTX
Group B – Fnatic, Bilibili Gaming, MIBR, Rex Regum Qeon
Fnatic are the clear favorites thanks to their international experience, but Bilibili Gaming—the top seed from China—have been improving quickly and can’t be overlooked. Representing Brazil, MIBR make their return to the global stage, while Pacific’s Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) are known for their unpredictable playstyle.
The VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 Group Draw has put together teams this evenly matched, and certainly, every game will be close. Even the smallest details could be the difference between moving forward or going home.
Opening Matches:
- Fnatic vs. Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ)
- Bilibili Gaming vs. MIBR
Group C – Team Liquid, EDward Gaming, NRG, DRX
Group C is already being labeled the “group of death” because every team in it is dangerous. Team Liquid, the EMEA Stage 2 champions, are known for their deep map pool and smart strategies. EDward Gaming, one of China’s most aggressive squads, excel at winning early fights. NRG stand out for their flexibility and creative playstyle, while DRX are recognized as one of the most disciplined teams in the world.
With all four capable of advancing, this group is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling to watch.
Opening Matches:
- Team Liquid vs. DRX
- EDward Gaming vs. NRG
Group D – G2 Esports, T1, Team Heretics, Dragon Ranger Gaming
Group D brings together teams with very different playstyles. G2 Esports, the VCT Americas Stage 2 champions, will go up against T1, a Pacific team known for their slow and calculated approach. Team Heretics from EMEA are strong on defense, while Dragon Ranger Gaming from China prefer fast, high-risk plays that can swing a game in seconds.
One of the most anticipated storylines is a potential G2 vs. Heretics rematch, since the two have a history of close, hard-fought battles.
Opening Matches:
- G2 Esports vs. Dragon Ranger Gaming
- T1 vs. Team Heretics
Conclusion
With the Group Stage kicking off on September 12, we’re only a few days away from witnessing the first of many exciting matches from 16 incredible teams. The VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 Group Draw have revealed which groups and match-ups to anticipate, and the build up to the main event just keeps getting better. Which teams are you rooting for in each group? Will giants dominate again, or will there be underdogs rising to prominence?
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