Here is your complete guide to the VALORANT Champions 2026 bracket and schedule, with a free printable bracket sheet to track the whole event. VALORANT Champions is the season-ending world championship of the VCT, and the 2026 edition runs September 24 to October 18, 2026 in Shanghai, China. Sixteen of the best teams on the planet play a Swiss group stage, the top eight reach a double-elimination playoff bracket, and one team is crowned world champion of a 2.25 million dollar event. Below is the full schedule, the format explained, and a printable bracket.
Last updated: July 25, 2026. The dates, host city, team count, and prize pool are confirmed; exact daily match times are added as the schedule is finalized.
VALORANT Champions 2026: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 25, 2026
- Event: VALORANT Champions 2026, the VCT world championship.
- Dates: September 24 to October 18, 2026.
- Host city: Shanghai, China.
- Format: 16-team Swiss group stage, then an 8-team double-elimination playoff bracket.
- Prize pool: 2.25 million US dollars.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Schedule
| Stage | Dates (2026) | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (Swiss) | Sept 24 to early Oct | 16 teams, best-of-three; top 8 advance |
| Playoffs | October | 8 teams, double elimination |
| Grand Final | October 18 | Best-of-five for the world title |
Shanghai is 12 hours ahead of United States Eastern Time, so afternoon matches locally land in the early morning ET. We will add exact daily start times here as the tournament organizers confirm the full match calendar.
How the Format Works
Champions opens with a Swiss-system group stage: all 16 teams play best-of-three series, paired each round against opponents with similar records, until the top eight are decided. Those eight advance to a double-elimination playoff bracket, where a single loss drops a team to the lower bracket rather than eliminating them. The upper-bracket winner and the lower-bracket survivor meet in a best-of-five grand final for the world championship.
Teams and Qualification
The 16-team field is drawn from the four VCT international leagues: Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. Teams qualify through Championship Points earned across the season, results at the Masters events, and regional Last Chance Qualifiers. Print the bracket above and fill in the teams as the field is finalized.
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Frequently Asked Questions: VALORANT Champions 2026
When and where is VALORANT Champions 2026?
VALORANT Champions 2026 runs September 24 to October 18, 2026 in Shanghai, China. It is the season-ending world championship of the VALORANT Champions Tour.
How many teams are at VALORANT Champions 2026?
Sixteen teams qualify from the four VCT leagues, Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. The top eight from the Swiss group stage advance to the double-elimination playoffs.
What is the prize pool for VALORANT Champions 2026?
The total prize pool for VALORANT Champions 2026 is 2.25 million US dollars, shared across the 16 teams by final placement.
