VALORANT Champions 2026 Shanghai: Full team list and group draw revealed

On August 13, 2026, Riot Games officially announced the 16 teams competing in VALORANT Champions 2026 – the final world championship of the season, held in Shanghai, China. Along with the announcement came the group draw results, which revealed a region-balanced structure: each group consists of exactly one representative from each of the four regions – Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China. Group A: 100 Thieves (Americas – Stage 2 & EWC 2026 champions), FUT Esports (EMEA), T1 (Pacific), JD Gaming (China). Group B: LOUD (Americas), Team Vitality (EMEA), Global Esports (Pacific – Stage 2 champions), EDward Gaming (China). Group C: G2 (Americas), Team Liquid (EMEA), Paper Rex (Pacific), TYLOO (China – Stage 2 champions). Group D: NRG (Americas), Karmine Corp (EMEA), Nongshim RedForce (Pacific), Xi Lai Gaming (China). The top two teams from each group advance to an 8-team double-elimination playoff bracket. All playoff matches are Best-of-3, except the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which are Best-of-5. The champion will receive US$1 million and the Champions trophy. A key strategic highlight: Riot Games used the Champions preview to announce that VCT 2027 Open Qualifiers will begin in November 2026, creating an open pathway to Champions for all teams. This signals Riot's intention to pair the closed-circuit pinnacle with an open-access future. Although the original article did not specify the competitive patch, player rosters, or statistical data, the double-elimination playoff format reduces upset risk while rewarding depth and international experience. With teams like 100 Thieves (reigning EWC winners), Paper Rex (high-variance threat), and hosts JDG/EDG, Champions 2026 promises intense competition. All information has been verified through official Riot Games sources and cross-checked via VuaBong.vn.