Valorant Champions Shanghai 2026 playoffs preview: Winners predictions, top players, and who will win

Ahsan Kabir Published October 7, 2026

The VALORANT Champions Shanghai is in the final phase of the competition, as there are only eight teams left battling for the world championship title in 2026. Among them, NRG remains to be considered one of the top contenders, Paper Rex has gained international experience, and 100 Thieves and Team Vitality have proved to be strong enough for playoffs. T1, LOUD, G2 Esports, and Nongshim RedForce will try to defeat favorites and reach the final stage.

Below are some facts you should know about the upcoming playoffs.

Current playoff standings and teams to watch

The champions Shanghai group stage has given us a clear picture of the power dynamics before the start of the playoffs:

• Winners of the Groups: 100 Thieves, Team Vitality, Paper Rex, NRG
• Runners-up of the Groups: T1, LOUD, G2 Esports, and Nongshim RedForce
• VCT CN Teams which got eliminated: EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, TYLOO, and Xi Lai Gaming

The remaining 8 teams will participate in playoffs in the format of double-elimination starting on October 7.

NRG looks like one of the teams to beat

Image Credits: Valorant Esports

NRG secured a position in the playoffs by going undefeated in Group D. The North American team started its journey in the tournament with a win against Nongshim RedForce (2-0) and followed it up with a close 2-1 victory against Karmine Corp in the winners match.

The win in the third map against Karmine Corp is important since it indicates that NRG can stay calm when the series requires a long and tough battle against an opponent.

However, NRG will have a tough time dealing with their first opponent, T1. The Korean team bounced back from its humiliating 0-2 defeat against 100 Thieves by defeating JD Gaming and FUT Esports, proving its ability to respond in knockout scenarios.

100 Thieves enter Shanghai with strong momentum

Another team to follow during the playoffs is 100 Thieves. The representatives from the Americas finished the Group A stages with a perfect 2-0 record, beating T1 and FUT Esports without even losing a single map.

The success they have been experiencing around their region also makes them a favorite to win the title. The team is arriving at Champions Shanghai as the VCT Americas champions after beating LOUD in the Grand Final for the competition.

Now, 100 Thieves are set to face G2 Esports in the first playoff round, as G2 ended up going through a rough route in Group C, losing one match to Paper Rex by 1-2 but later coming back and winning against Team Liquid by 2-0.

Players interested can keep up with the latest VCT results by using our live scores section.

Players who can be a threat

The Champions Shanghai team has already displayed some excellent individual performances, and these players could have a bigger impact in the playoffs. The performance of these players in the current tournament and the previous 2026 season makes them players to watch.

Keep Your Eye on These Playoff Talents:

• trent (G2 Esports): Trent’s performances at G2 have been monumental as he finished with an incredible 270 ACS, 79/43/32 KDA, and 90.15% KAST. His ability to consistently perform at a high level makes him a player to watch in G2’s first match against 100 Thieves.

Image Credits: Valorant Esports

• tkzin (LOUD): One of the prominent names in Shanghai has been tkzin, with his impressive 256.5 ACS and KDA of 77/59/17 in two series. He has also recorded three aces in a single series against EDward Gaming, becoming the first player in VALORANT Champions history to do so.

Image Credits: Valorant Esports

• Cryocells (100 Thieves): Cryocells continued his excellent form, recording a 238 ACS, a 75/48/11 KDA, and a 14/3 First Kill to First Death ratio in the match played in Shanghai. His contribution to the tournament came from a successful 2026 season with 100 Thieves, including being named MVP at the Esports World Championship and playing a key role in winning the Americas Stage 2 championship.

Image Credits: Valorant Esports

• something (Paper Rex): something was a critical member of PRX in that stage, having acquired 98 kills total and peaking at 245 ACS. He is a core component of a Paper Rex lineup that has displayed immense resilience in Shanghai, including a reverse sweep against G2 to clinch their playoff spot.

Image Credits: Valorant Esports

• mada (NRG): mada provided NRG with vital firepower in the group stage, as he achieved 81 kills, a 220 ACS, and 23 entry frags (23/19 FK/FD). His aggression will be essential for success against T1 as NRG intends to keep their winning streak going.

Image Credits: Valorant Esports

Key opening matchups and schedule

The Champions Shanghai playoffs will take place over the period of October 7 – October 18. Eight different teams will participate in a double-elimination tournament. The opening matches feature several battles between teams from the Americas, Pacific, and EMEA regions.

Opening schedule (UB quarterfinals)

Opening schedule (Upper Bracket Round One):

• October 7: NRG vs. T1 and Paper Rex vs. LOUD
• October 8: 100 Thieves vs. G2 Esports and Team Vitality vs. Nongshim RedForce

What to expect next?

Once the first round of playoff matches is done, the eight surviving teams will proceed to play in the double-elimination playoffs, with two losses marking the end of their Champions Shanghai journey. Most playoff matches will be played as best-of-three series, while the Lower Final and Grand Final will be best-of-five. Be sure to use our list of best esports betting sites if you are looking to wager on these matches.

The top four teams to look out for would be 100 Thieves, NRG, Paper Rex, and Team Vitality. However, there may be a few surprise upsets along the way from teams such as T1, LOUD, G2 Esports, and Nongshim RedForce. Our prediction are, 100 Thieves wins the Champions, with NRG, Paper Rex, and Team Vitality second, third, and fourth, respectively.

Also, for a closer look at all the teams, format, schedule, and everything to expect from the tournament, check out our VALORANT Champions 2026 preview.

Featured image credit: Riot Games