VALORANT Champions is the final global tournament of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) season, where qualified teams compete to become that season’s world champion. In 2026, Champions Shanghai starts with 16 teams in four groups; the top two from each group advance to an eight-team double-elimination playoff. The format can change by year, so these details apply to the 2026 edition.
What is VALORANT Champions?
Champions is the VCT season’s world championship event. It is distinct from the season’s Masters tournaments: Champions is the final tournament of the year, and Riot Games names its winner the 2026 VALORANT World Champion. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Shanghai from September 24 through October 18, according to VALORANT Esports’ event guide.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qH6rhsO-L._SL160_.jpg)
|
VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![VALORANT USD $50 [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414iDcFmP1L._SL160_.jpg)
|
VALORANT USD $50 [Online Game Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![VALORANT USD $100 [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41dAcvJm-6L._SL160_.jpg)
|
VALORANT USD $100 [Online Game Code] | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![VALORANT USD $10 [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WNcI3r4uL._SL160_.jpg)
|
VALORANT USD $10 [Online Game Code] | $10.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![League of Legends USD $100 [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sXd2M+jLL._SL160_.jpg)
|
League of Legends USD $100 [Online Game Code] | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
How does the 2026 Champions format work?
Sixteen teams from the Americas, China (CN), EMEA, and Pacific compete in two stages. Riot’s 2026 season handbook specifies the following format.
Group stage: 16 teams become eight
The teams are divided into four GSL groups, with one team from each region in every group. Matches are best of three. The top two teams in each group advance to the playoffs, producing an eight-team bracket.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
- Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
- Redeemable in VALORANT, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
- PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
- This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
Playoffs: double elimination for the title
The eight remaining teams play a double-elimination bracket. A team is eliminated after its second bracket loss. Playoff matches are best of three, except the lower final and grand final, which are best of five.
How do teams qualify for Champions?
For 2026, the handbook says each of the four territories—Americas, CN, EMEA, and Pacific—sends its top two teams from the Stage 2 playoffs and its top two Championship Point earners. That makes four qualifying teams per territory and 16 overall.
Rank #2
- UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
- Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
- Redeemable in VALORANT, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
- PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
- This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
Does the Champions format change each year?
Yes. The number and size of groups, advancement rules, bracket structure, series length, and qualification route should be checked for the specific edition rather than assumed to be fixed. For example, Riot’s 2025 Champions Paris handbook listed two groups of six, while the 2026 Shanghai handbook specifies four groups of four. Those are different editions, not simultaneous rules.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
- Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
- Redeemable in League of Legends, Valorant, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
- PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
- This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
Rank #4
- UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
- Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
- Redeemable in VALORANT, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
- PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
- This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
Rank #3
- UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
- Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
- Redeemable in VALORANT, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
- PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
- This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
