VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 brings together 16 teams from the Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China. The group stage runs from September 24 to October 4, followed by an eight-team double-elimination playoff from October 7 to 18.
Paper Rex was the first team to secure a place at the event, but Sentinels did not qualify. Any fixture described as “Paper Rex versus Sentinels at Champions 2026” is therefore incorrect.
All 16 Champions Shanghai teams
- Americas: NRG, G2 Esports, LOUD and 100 Thieves
- EMEA: Team Vitality, FUT Esports, Team Liquid and Karmine Corp
- Pacific: Paper Rex, Nongshim RedForce, Global Esports and T1
- China: JD Gaming, Xi Lai Gaming, TYLOO and EDward Gaming
The official event page lists four representatives from every territory. Teams qualified through the top two places in their regional Stage 2 playoffs or through the top two Championship Points positions not already covered by those results.
How the Champions Shanghai format works
The 16 teams are divided into four GSL-style groups, each containing one representative from every region. Group matches are best-of-three. A team advances after two match wins and is eliminated after two losses, leaving eight teams for the playoff bracket.
The playoffs use double elimination. Most series remain best-of-three, while the lower final and grand final expand to best-of-five. This gives teams one second chance after an upper-bracket defeat, but a second playoff loss ends their tournament.
Paper Rex's opening result
Paper Rex opened its Shanghai campaign with a 2–1 victory over Team Liquid on September 24. The win placed PRX into its group winner's match, continuing the organization's run as one of Pacific's most consistent international representatives.
Qualification alone does not guarantee a playoff place. Paper Rex still has to earn two group-stage wins under the GSL format, and official schedules should be checked after every match because opponents depend on earlier results.
Why Sentinels are not at Champions 2026
Sentinels were eliminated from the Americas qualification race during the Stage 2 play-in phase. The official schedule records a 0–2 loss to KRÜ on August 23. The four Americas berths ultimately went to NRG, G2, LOUD and 100 Thieves.
The absence means there can be no official PRX–Sentinels match in Shanghai unless Riot changes the confirmed field, which it has not announced. Older versions of this page incorrectly presented such a matchup as real; the article has been rewritten around the verified participant list and tournament schedule.
Dates to remember
Group play continues through October 4. The tournament pauses on October 5–6, resumes with playoffs on October 7 and concludes with the world championship grand final on October 18. Riot's schedule page updates scores and upcoming pairings as the event progresses.
Sources: Riot Games' Champions Shanghai event guide, official standings and match schedule.
