Valorant Champions 2026 Shanghai: Schedule, Teams & Format
The biggest Valorant tournament of the year heads to Shanghai. Here are the dates, the format, how the 16 teams qualify and where to watch it.
Verified sources: official VCT 2026 dates and the confirmed Champions format. Teams and schedule will be added once they are locked in.
The short version
Valorant Champions 2026 is the season finale of VCT 2026 and takes place from September 24 to October 18, 2026 in Shanghai. 16 teams from four regions fight for the world title and a prize pool of 2.25 million US dollars.
It is the last and biggest event of the year. Whoever wins here is the best Valorant roster of the season.
Sep 24 to Oct 18, Shanghai, 16 teams, double-elimination playoffs, $2.25M.
Dates and venue
Champions 2026 runs for nearly four weeks, from September 24 to October 18, 2026. The host city is Shanghai, China. Games follow the local time zone, which for viewers in Europe and the Americas usually means broadcasts spread across the day.
The exact match schedule with days and times comes closer to the event. As soon as it is official, we add it here.
The format explained
The 16 teams are split into four pools by seed. One team from each pool goes into each group, and no two teams from the same region land in the same group.
| Pool | Who is in it |
|---|---|
| Pool 1 | The #1 seeds from EMEA, Americas, Pacific and China |
| Pool 2 | The #2 seeds from each region |
| Pool 3 | The #3 seeds from each region |
| Pool 4 | The #4 seeds from each region |
From the group stage, the top two teams of each group advance to a double-elimination playoff bracket. That is where the title is decided.
The 16 teams and how they qualify
Each of the four international leagues (EMEA, Americas, Pacific and China) sends four teams, for 16 total. Qualification runs on two paths:
The top teams from the regional playoffs in the second half of the season earn a direct ticket.
Across the season, teams collect points from their league and Masters. The highest scorers without a playoff ticket move up.
As of June 10 the qualified teams are not locked in yet, they are decided over the course of the season. Once the 16 teams are set, we list them here.
Where to watch Champions 2026
The tournament is broadcast on the official Valorant Esports channels on Twitch and YouTube. On top of that there are regional co-streams from local casters and creators, so you can follow it with your own community angle.
What’s at stake at Champions
Champions is the peak of the season. On the line are a prize pool of 2.25 million US dollars and the world champion title. Unlike Masters, only the best teams of the entire season make it here, not just the form winners of a single event.
For many players and organizations, Champions is the one tournament the whole season is measured against.
Watch Champions, then play it yourself
Big events like Champions make you want to try the agents and comps you see on stage. That is exactly when you do not want to spend hours leveling an account before ranked even unlocks.
A well built account lets you jump straight in at your level and test the current meta. If you are thinking about it, look at region, full access, rank and unlocked agents, not just the price.
Frequently asked questions
When is Valorant Champions 2026?
Champions 2026 runs from September 24 to October 18, 2026 in Shanghai.
Where is Champions 2026 held?
The tournament takes place in Shanghai, China and is the season finale of VCT 2026.
How many teams are at Champions 2026?
16 teams, four from each of the four regions: EMEA, Americas, Pacific and China.
How do teams qualify for Champions?
Through the regional Stage 2 playoffs and through Championship Points collected across the whole season.
Where can I watch Champions 2026?
On the official Valorant Esports channels on Twitch and YouTube, plus regional co-streams.
Want to play the pro meta yourself?
Jump in at your level instead of leveling an account first. Compare Valorant accounts by region, rank, access and skins.