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VALORANT Champions 2026 has now reached its Top 4 teams, with a clear regional divide: LOUD, G2, and 100 Thieves representing VCT Americas, joined by Vitality. The Pacific region, on the other hand, has been entirely eliminated after Paper Rex, Nongshim RedForce, and T1 were knocked out, reshaping the final bracket from the initial eight-team playoff field.
In the upcoming matches, Vitality will face LOUD in the Upper Bracket Final, while G2 will take on 100 Thieves in the Lower Bracket Semi-Final. This setup guarantees that either Vitality or LOUD will secure a spot in the Grand Final, while the other teams will have to navigate the lower-bracket rematch path.
LOUD and Vitality Secure Upper Bracket Advancement
LOUD clinched their spot with a convincing 2-0 victory over defending champions NRG, finishing off the series with a dominant 13-3 performance in the final map. This outcome not only eliminates NRG but also brings an unexpected finalist into the spotlight, as both teams have surpassed expectations by making it this far, according to coverage by Insider Gaming.
Meanwhile, G2 and 100 Thieves are set for a rematch after G2’s surprising victory over 100T in the Upper Bracket Round 1. Since then, 100 Thieves have defeated Nongshim RedForce 2-1 and eliminated NRG, while G2 fought past T1 2-1 to reach the Lower Bracket Semi-Final. While G2 holds the advantage in their head-to-head record, both teams have faced challenges on their path back to this stage.
NRG’s journey in the bracket included a match against T1, which ended in a 2-0 victory for NRG. This series is just one part of the defending champions’ elimination, keeping them out of the final four.
Pacific’s Playoff Run Comes to an End
Despite starting the playoffs with three teams, Pacific failed to secure a Top 4 placement. Paper Rex, Nongshim RedForce, and T1 were all relegated to the lower bracket in the first round, with only T1 managing to advance before being eliminated by G2, marking the end of the region’s journey.
The early clash between Pacific teams played a significant role in Paper Rex’s lower-bracket placement and subsequent exit. Insider Gaming suggests that this outcome raises questions about Pacific’s strategic depth and ability to adapt in-game compared to their opponents, though this analysis is based on the playoff results and not definitive explanations for every loss.
The disparity is evident, with three Americas teams advancing while Pacific has no representative in the final stages of the tournament. All four teams will now compete at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, which has a capacity of 18,000, for the remaining matches.
Competition Shifts to Mercedes-Benz Arena
The Top 4 matchups are now confirmed:
| Bracket Stage | Matchup |
|---|---|
| Upper Bracket Final | Vitality vs LOUD |
| Lower Bracket Semi-Final | G2 vs 100 Thieves |
The winner of the Upper Bracket Final secures a direct place in the Grand Final, while the loser gets another opportunity through the lower bracket. G2 and 100 Thieves, on the other hand, face immediate elimination, with specific match dates and start times yet to be announced.