Paper Rex Have Lost Two Finals This Year and Shanghai Is the Last One Left
Valorant Champions runs in Shanghai from 24 September to 18 October with sixteen teams and 2.25 million dollars.
Valorant Champions 2026 opens in Shanghai on 24 September and finishes on 18 October. Sixteen teams are in, four from each of China, Pacific, EMEA and the Americas, and the prize pool is 2.25 million dollars.
The format is GSL-style groups into a double-elimination bracket.
Pacific sends Paper Rex, Global Esports, Nongshim RedForce and T1. Paper Rex are the region's top seed on championship points and the closest thing Southeast Asia has to a permanent fixture at this level.
They have also lost both international finals this season. Nongshim RedForce beat them at Masters Santiago and Leviatan beat them at Masters London. Two runner-up finishes at the two Masters events is the strongest record in the game without a trophy attached to it.
China's four are TYLOO, JD Gaming, EDward Gaming and Xi Lai Gaming, playing at home. EMEA sends Karmine Corp, Team Liquid, FUT Esports and Team Vitality. The Americas send 100 Thieves, LOUD, NRG and G2.
Shanghai is in the same time zone as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, so the whole event plays out in regional evening hours rather than overnight, which is unusual for a Valorant major.