Game Changers Championship 2026: KRÜ BLAZE beat Gentle Mates 3-2 in São Paulo to win world title

KRÜ BLAZE are VALORANT Game Changers world champions. The Latin American side beat Gentle Mates GC 3-2 in the grand final at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo on Sunday 1 November, winning on the fifth map to claim the US$180,000 first prize. It is KRÜ BLAZE's first Game Changers world title, and it came after they had been knocked into the lower bracket earlier in the event.

The five maps

Gentle Mates, who arrived in the final unbeaten, started fast and took Haven 13-5. KRÜ responded in the same style on Abyss, winning 13-5 to level the series. Sunset was the tightest map of the night, with KRÜ edging it 14-12 in overtime to go 2-1 up.

The European side forced a decider by winning Split 13-8. KRÜ then closed out the title on Ascent, again by 13-8.

Amaro "tok1o" Miranda was named grand final MVP. Argentine outlet AA Deporte credits tok1o with 84 kills, 72 deaths and 14 assists across the five maps.

From the lower bracket to the trophy

KRÜ's path was a long one. They opened with a 2-1 win over Gen.G GC, then lost 2-0 to Shopify Rebellion Gold in the upper semi-finals. That defeat sent them into the lower bracket, where they did not drop another series.

They beat Team Liquid Brazil 2-0 and MIBR GC 2-0, then won a rematch with Shopify Rebellion Gold 3-1 in the lower final. In total, they had to win four straight series to lift the trophy.

Gentle Mates had been the most consistent side in the event until the final, beating Team Liquid Brazil 2-0, MIBR GC 2-0 and Shopify Rebellion Gold 2-1 to reach the decider without dropping a series.

Prize money and final standings

According to VLR.gg, the top places were:

• 1st: KRÜ BLAZE, US$180,000
• 2nd: Gentle Mates GC, US$100,000
• 3rd: Shopify Rebellion Gold, US$70,000
• 4th: MIBR GC, US$50,000

The Asian teams had a tougher time. FENNEL GC from Japan finished in the 7th-8th bracket, while Nova Esports GC from China and Gen.G GC from South Korea finished 9th-10th.

KRÜ's roster includes Micaela, tok1o, PoniX, antG and none, with head coach bonzitt and assistant coach mizu. The team had come close before, with AA Deporte listing their previous best Championship finish as fourth in 2025.

What changes next year

This was the last Game Changers Championship held as a separate event. From 2027, Riot plans to stage the Game Changers final as part of VALORANT Champions in Austin, Texas. That will give the women's and marginalised-genders circuit a place on the sport's biggest stage, alongside the main world championship.

Key takeaways

• KRÜ BLAZE beat Gentle Mates GC 3-2 in the Game Changers Championship 2026 grand final in São Paulo.
• Map scores from KRÜ's side: Haven 5-13, Abyss 13-5, Sunset 14-12, Split 8-13, Ascent 13-8.
• tok1o was named grand final MVP.
• KRÜ won US$180,000 after coming through the lower bracket; Gentle Mates took US$100,000.

FAQ

Who won the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026? KRÜ BLAZE won, beating Gentle Mates GC 3-2 in the grand final on 1 November 2026.

Who was the grand final MVP? Amaro "tok1o" Miranda of KRÜ BLAZE was named MVP of the final.

Where will the 2027 Game Changers final be held? From 2027, the Game Changers final will be held as part of VALORANT Champions in Austin, Texas.

Sources: VLR.gg, AA Deporte, J-Wave, Sheep Esports