VALORANT Champions 2026 runs from September 24 to October 18 in Shanghai, China. The tournament brings together top teams from the Americas, EMEA, Pacific, and China regions competing for the world championship title and a reported $2.25 million prize pool. Riot's revised qualification system allows both partner and non-partner teams to vie for the trophy.
The event uses a GSL-style format with four groups of four teams each. All group stage matches are best-of-three series, with the top two teams from each group advancing to double-elimination playoffs. The lower final and grand final switch to best-of-five matches. Teams are seeded by qualification method, with regional separation enforced to prevent same-region matchups in the group stage.
Broadcasts will stream on official YouTube and Twitch channels alongside co-streamers and regional feeds. Riot plans to release the broadcast schedule, Pick'Ems, viewership rewards, and additional Champions content closer to the tournament. The specific venue in Shanghai has not yet been announced.
