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The eight-team playoff field for VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 is set: the Americas qualified four teams, Pacific three, and EMEA one. The opening quarterfinals are NRG vs. T1 and Paper Rex vs. LOUD on October 7, followed by 100 Thieves vs. G2 Esports and Team Vitality vs. Nongshim RedForce on October 8. The tournament is still underway, so the world champion has not yet been decided.
Which teams qualified for the Champions 2026 playoffs?
Two teams advanced from each of the four groups. Here is the complete field, with group finish and region:
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| Group | First qualifier | Second qualifier |
|---|---|---|
| A | 100 Thieves (Americas) | T1 (Pacific) |
| B | Team Vitality (EMEA) | LOUD (Americas) |
| C | Paper Rex (Pacific) | G2 Esports (Americas) |
| D | NRG (Americas) | Nongshim RedForce (Pacific) |
The regional count is Americas 4, Pacific 3, EMEA 1, and China 0. The Americas sent all four of its entrants through. Pacific’s qualifiers are Paper Rex, Nongshim RedForce, and T1; Team Vitality is the lone EMEA representative. China’s JDG, XLG, TYLOO, and EDward Gaming were eliminated in groups, and Dot Esports reported that no Chinese team won a series. Dot Esports’ October 5 report and the VLR.gg event bracket list the teams and results.
What are the opening playoff matchups?
The quarterfinal schedule listed by VLR.gg is:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| October 7, 2026 | NRG vs. T1 |
| October 7, 2026 | Paper Rex vs. LOUD |
| October 8, 2026 | 100 Thieves vs. G2 Esports |
| October 8, 2026 | Team Vitality vs. Nongshim RedForce |
These pairings put two Americas qualifiers against one another in 100 Thieves–G2 Esports, while LOUD faces Pacific’s Paper Rex. The other two matches pit NRG against T1 and Team Vitality against Nongshim RedForce. These are the listed opening matches, not a completed playoff result; check the live event listing for any schedule changes.
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How does the Champions playoff format work?
Riot’s official Champions Shanghai overview describes 16 teams split into four GSL groups of four. Every group-stage match is best-of-three, and the top two teams in each group advance to an eight-team double-elimination playoff bracket.
- Playoff matches are best-of-three, except the lower final and grand final, which are best-of-five.
- In a double-elimination bracket, a team can lose once and remain in contention through the lower bracket; a second loss eliminates it.
- The grand final is listed for October 18, 2026, on the VLR.gg event page.
What does the regional split tell us?
The Americas have half of the eight playoff places, making them the largest regional contingent. Pacific has three places, and EMEA has one. Calling the Americas and Pacific the dominant regions describes the group-stage representation, but it does not mean the regions split the bracket evenly or establish a broader measure of team strength.
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The event is not over: Champions Shanghai concludes the 2026 VCT season and determines the world champion, according to Riot Games Competitive Operations. The champion remains undecided as of October 7, 2026.
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