Champions Shanghai group draw set for after VCT Americas grand final

Champions Shanghai group draw set for after VCT Americas grand final

Riot Games has confirmed that the group draw for VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 will take place on September 6 immediately following the VCT Americas Stage 2 grand final.

The draw will determine the opening groups for the season-ending world championship, which begins later in September.

Draw follows Americas championship match

The VCT Americas Stage 2 grand final will be played as a best-of-five series on September 6.

Because the Champions draw will begin immediately after the match concludes, its exact starting time will depend on the length of the series.

The Americas Finals Weekend runs from September 4 to 6 at Suhai Music Hall in São Paulo.

NRG, 100 Thieves , G2 Esports and LOUD remain in contention for the regional title.

NRG and G2 have already secured their places at Champions Shanghai, while the region's remaining qualification positions are still being decided.

Shanghai field nearing completion

Champions 2026 will feature 16 teams from the four international VCT leagues.

China has already finalized its representatives, while EMEA has also completed its Stage 2 competition.

Pacific and Americas still have remaining playoff matches before the complete Champions field and regional seeding are finalized.

Once those competitions conclude, the September 6 draw will establish the first stage of the world championship.

OVERRIDE Showmatch also planned

Riot will also host the second OVERRIDE Showmatch during the Americas Finals Weekend.

Teams captained by daiki and Mel will face each other on Summit on September 5.

Viewers will be able to influence individual rounds by choosing special rules and restrictions.

VALORANT Champions 2026 begins on September 24 in Shanghai.