VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 is officially underway. The biggest event of the VCT season opened on September 24 with Group C action as Paper Rex defeated Team Liquid 2-1 before G2 Esports swept TYLOO 2-0.
Sixteen teams from Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China are competing in Shanghai for the 2026 world championship. The tournament runs until October 18 and carries a $2.25 million prize pool.
Paper Rex Survive Team Liquid Challenge
Paper Rex opened Champions with a three-map victory against Team Liquid.
The Pacific side dominated Ascent 13-4 before Liquid responded with a 13-7 win on Haven. That forced the series onto Lotus, where Paper Rex eventually closed the deciding map 13-10.
The opening series produced several notable performances:
- Paper Rex won Ascent 13-4 and Lotus 13-10
- Team Liquid claimed Haven 13-7
- something finished the series with 58 kills and a 1.38 rating
- d4v41 led the Lotus server with 25 kills
Paper Rex entered the event as Pacific’s third seed, while Liquid arrived as EMEA’s second seed.
Liquid also debuted GSR at Champions after making a roster adjustment before the tournament. Despite the defeat, the newcomer produced the team’s highest rating in the series.
Paper Rex now moves into the Group C winners’ match, while Liquid drops into an elimination series.
G2 Sweep TYLOO to Complete Day One
G2 Esports followed Paper Rex into the Group C upper match by defeating TYLOO 2-0.
The result completed a difficult opening day for the Chinese representative while giving G2 an immediate advantage in the double-elimination group.
With both opening matches complete, Group C now has a clear structure. Paper Rex and G2 can secure playoff qualification by winning their next match, while Team Liquid and TYLOO will meet with tournament survival already on the line.
| Group C position | Next match |
|---|---|
| Paper Rex | vs. G2 Esports |
| G2 Esports | vs. Paper Rex |
| Team Liquid | vs. TYLOO |
| TYLOO | vs. Team Liquid |
The winners’ match between G2 and Paper Rex is currently scheduled for September 29. Liquid and TYLOO are due to meet in the elimination match on October 1.
Champions Shanghai Uses Double-Elimination Groups
The group stage runs from September 24 through October 4.
Sixteen teams have been divided into four groups, with one representative from each major VCT region placed into each group. Every match during this stage is played as a best-of-three.
Two losses mean elimination.
The tournament structure includes:
- Four groups containing four teams each
- Eight teams advancing from groups into the playoffs
- Double-elimination brackets during both major stages
- A Grand Final scheduled for October 18
The playoffs begin on October 7 and continue through October 18. The final stages will determine the 2026 VALORANT world champion.
Only eight of the sixteen teams in Shanghai will survive the group stage.
That makes the opening matches important even though no team can be eliminated on the first day. Losing immediately removes a team’s safety margin and forces it into consecutive must-win series.
Shanghai Opens With a Bigger VCT Presentation
Riot has also expanded the presentation surrounding this year’s Champions.
The opening-day broadcast was designed as more than a conventional arena introduction. Riot promoted activities across Shanghai itself, including appearances from creators and former professional players such as TenZ, Sacy and MeL.
The event also includes Pick’Ems, Twitch-based Shotcall predictions and several viewing rewards.
Players who watch at least 30 minutes during the group stage and playoffs can earn the “Locked In” title. Another reward becomes available by watching at least 30 minutes of the Grand Final.
Shotcall provides additional rewards tied to live predictions during the tournament.
Group D Takes the Stage Next
Champions Shanghai continues on September 25 with the opening matches from Group D.
Nongshim RedForce will face NRG before Karmine Corp takes on Xi Lai Gaming. Group B follows on September 26 with Global Esports against Team Vitality and LOUD facing EDward Gaming.
Group A begins one day later.
That staggered opening schedule means the complete competitive picture will not become clear until every group has played its first matches.
For Paper Rex and G2, however, the first step is already complete.
Assessment
Opening-day victories do not guarantee a deep Champions run, but Paper Rex and G2 have immediately put themselves in favorable positions within Group C.
Paper Rex’s win is particularly notable because Team Liquid managed to respond after being heavily beaten on Ascent. PRX still recovered on Lotus and closed the series under pressure, giving the Pacific representative an early test rather than a straightforward sweep.
G2’s 2-0 result against TYLOO provides a cleaner opening and sets up an important winners’ match against Paper Rex.
The larger story is only beginning. Champions Shanghai will run for more than three weeks, and every remaining group still has to enter the server. What is already confirmed is that Paper Rex and G2 have taken control of the first Group C qualification opportunities, while Team Liquid and TYLOO will now have no room for another defeat.
