Nongshim and Global move within one win of Champions 2026

The VCT Pacific Stage 2 playoffs are entering their decisive phase after Nongshim RedForce and Global Esports secured major victories in the upper bracket.

Nongshim stunned Gen.G 2-1 in the upper semifinal, while Global Esports defeated VARREL 2-0. The two winners are now set to meet in the Upper Final, where a victory will secure direct qualification to VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, several of Pacific’s biggest organizations — including Gen.G, Paper Rex, KIWOOM DRX and T1 — are now facing a much less forgiving path through the lower bracket.

Nongshim continue impressive playoff run

Nongshim RedForce have become one of the biggest stories of the Pacific postseason.

Their playoff run began with a convincing 2-0 victory over Paper Rex. Nongshim won Abyss 13-7 before closing Split 13-10, immediately sending one of the region’s most dangerous teams into the lower bracket.

They followed that result with an even more significant victory against Gen.G.

• Nongshim beat Paper Rex 2-0
• They defeated Gen.G 2-1 in the Upper Semifinal
• Gen.G now drop into the Lower Bracket
• Nongshim are one series away from Champions qualification

Against Gen.G, Nongshim took Ascent 13-8 before losing Summit 9-13. The deciding Sunset remained close, but Nongshim eventually closed the map 13-11 to complete the upset.

Nongshim are now only one best-of-three victory away from securing a direct place at VALORANT Champions 2026.

That position represents a major turnaround for a team that only finished 2-3 during the Stage 2 group phase.

Global Esports emerge as Pacific’s breakout team

Global Esports have also transformed expectations during Stage 2.

The team finished second in Group Alpha with a 3-2 record and entered the playoffs after producing several strong performances during the regular season.

Their first playoff series against KIWOOM DRX went the distance. Global won Lotus 13-11, lost Ascent 8-13 and then recovered to take Abyss 13-9.

The Upper Semifinal against VARREL was far more comfortable.

Match	Result	Key maps
Nongshim vs Paper Rex	2-0	13-7, 13-10
Global vs DRX	2-1	13-11, 8-13, 13-9
Nongshim vs Gen.G	2-1	13-8, 9-13, 13-11
Global vs VARREL	2-0	13-10, 13-5

Global took Split 13-10 before dominating Summit 13-5, eliminating any need for Haven.

The result puts Global alongside Nongshim in the Upper Final and gives the organization one of its strongest opportunities yet to reach VALORANT’s biggest international event.

Gen.G face unexpected pressure

Gen.G entered the playoffs as one of the favorites.

They finished Group Alpha undefeated at 5-0 and earned a direct bye into the Upper Semifinals. That meant one victory would have placed them in an extremely strong position for the final weekend.

Instead, Nongshim sent them directly into an elimination match.

Gen.G’s situation is not yet critical because they still have another opportunity through the lower bracket, but their margin for error has disappeared.

• Gen.G will face the winner of T1 vs KIWOOM DRX
• VARREL await the winner of Paper Rex vs ONSIDE GAMING
• Every lower-bracket series is now an elimination match
• Two Stage 2 finalists will qualify directly for Champions

For Gen.G, the potential matchup with T1 would immediately create one of the highest-profile elimination series of the tournament.

Paper Rex and T1 fight for survival

Paper Rex are in an equally dangerous position after their opening loss against Nongshim.

Their next opponent is ONSIDE GAMING, one of the biggest outsiders remaining in the tournament. ONSIDE reached the playoffs through the Play-Ins and now have an opportunity to eliminate one of Pacific’s most internationally successful organizations.

T1 face KIWOOM DRX in the other Lower Round 1 series.

T1 entered the playoffs through the Play-Ins after defeating DetonatioN FocusMe 2-0, while DRX dropped into the lower bracket after losing 1-2 against Global.

Both matches offer no second chances.

The winner of Paper Rex versus ONSIDE advances to face VARREL. The winner of DRX versus T1 earns the considerably more intimidating task of facing Gen.G.

Champions qualification raises the stakes

The playoff structure gives the Upper Final enormous importance.

Nongshim and Global are not simply playing for a place in the Stage 2 Grand Final. Reaching the final through the upper bracket also guarantees qualification to VALORANT Champions 2026.

The second Champions place available through Stage 2 will go to the winner of the Lower Final.

That means the next few rounds will directly determine which Pacific teams travel to Shanghai through Stage 2 results, while additional teams can still qualify through the regional points system.

Assessment

The opening playoff rounds have already disrupted expectations.

Gen.G entered as the undefeated Group Alpha winner, while Paper Rex remain one of Pacific’s most proven international teams. Both are now one loss away from elimination.

Nongshim and Global Esports have instead taken control of the upper bracket.

Nongshim’s victories over Paper Rex and Gen.G demonstrate that their Play-In momentum was not temporary, while Global continue to build on what has already been a breakthrough Stage 2 campaign.

The Upper Final now offers both organizations an enormous opportunity. One more victory means a guaranteed place at Champions Shanghai.

For Gen.G, Paper Rex and T1, the equation is considerably simpler: win every remaining series or watch the Stage 2 qualification route disappear.