Game Changers Championship 2026: MIBR GC and SK Nebula win opening day in São Paulo
MIBR GC and SK Nebula both won 2-0 on day one of the US$500,000 Game Changers Championship in São Paulo. Here is the schedule, with Malaysia start times.
The Valorant Game Changers Championship 2026 has begun in São Paulo. MIBR GC and SK Nebula both won their opening matches 2-0. Ten teams from six regions are competing for a US$500,000 prize pool and the top title in women's and marginalised-gender Valorant. The final is on 1 November.
MIBR GC beat Pacific's FENNEL
MIBR GC qualified through the Americas Last Chance event, and they controlled their Upper Round 1 match against FENNEL GC, Pacific's second seed. They won both maps 13-5, first on Summit and then on Ascent.
VLR.gg singled out waved, who finished the series 42/24/8 with 11 first bloods and 202 average damage per round. mizzy added 19 kills on Summit. MIBR GC now play EMEA's G2 Gozen in the upper bracket quarter-finals. FENNEL GC drop into the lower bracket and play again on Sunday.
SK Nebula overpower Nova Esports GC
SK Nebula, EMEA's second seed on points, beat China's Nova Esports GC 2-0. They won Sunset 13-3 and then held off Nova on Split 13-9. rezq was the top performer with 44 kills across the two maps, including a 21/11/6 game and a 1.62 rating on Sunset.
SK Nebula play North American representatives Shopify Rebellion Gold next. Nova Esports GC also go to the lower bracket.
Format and prize money
The event uses a double-elimination bracket. Most series are best-of-three, and the lower bracket final and Grand Final are best-of-five. Riot keeps teams from the same qualifying region on opposite sides of the bracket.
According to VLR.gg, the US$500,000 prize pool pays US$180,000 to the winner, US$100,000 to the runner-up and US$70,000 to third place. Every team earns at least US$10,000.
The field includes defending champions Team Liquid Brazil, EMEA sides G2 Gozen, Gentle Mates GC and SK Nebula, Latin America's KRÜ BLAZE, and Shopify Rebellion Gold. Gen.G GC is Pacific's top seed.
Schedule and Malaysia viewing times
Riot says matches start at 3pm Brasília time, which is 2am the following day in Malaysia. Asian fans will need to stay up late or watch replays. The remaining upper quarter-finals are Team Liquid Brazil v Gentle Mates GC and KRÜ BLAZE v Gen.G GC, followed by MIBR GC v G2 Gozen and SK Nebula v Shopify Rebellion Gold on Saturday, 24 October (São Paulo time).
The lower bracket starts on Sunday. FENNEL GC face the loser of KRÜ BLAZE v Gen.G GC, and Nova Esports GC play the loser of Team Liquid Brazil v Gentle Mates GC. There are no matches on 29 October. Finals weekend runs from 30 October to 1 November at the Riot Games arena in Barra Funda, São Paulo.
Pacific has two teams in the event. Gen.G GC are still unbeaten, while FENNEL GC must now win every series to stay in the competition.
Key takeaways
- MIBR GC beat FENNEL GC 13-5, 13-5, with waved getting 11 first bloods.
- SK Nebula beat Nova Esports GC 2-0, and rezq finished with 44 kills.
- The US$500,000 event pays US$180,000 to the champion.
- Matches start at 3pm in São Paulo, which is 2am in Malaysia, and the Grand Final is on 1 November.
FAQ
What is the Valorant Game Changers Championship? It is Riot's annual world championship for the Game Changers circuit, which is for women and other marginalised genders. The top teams from each regional Game Changers series qualify.
Which Asian teams are playing? Pacific is represented by Gen.G GC and FENNEL GC, and China by Nova Esports GC. FENNEL and Nova both lost on day one and have moved to the lower bracket.
When is the Game Changers Championship 2026 final? The Grand Final is a best-of-five on 1 November in São Paulo. Check the official schedule for the exact start time. If it follows the usual 3pm Brasília start, it will be in the early hours of 2 November in Malaysia.
Sources: VLR.gg, Riot Games (VALORANT Esports)