Champions Shanghai 2026 will run from September 24 to October 18 in Shanghai, with 16 teams and two main stages: the group stage and playoffs. For viewers following from Brazil, the most practical detail is this: LOUD opens its campaign on September 26 against EDward Gaming at 9:00 a.m. Brasília time, in a best-of-three Group B series.
The official calendar also includes important breaks between stages. There are no matches on September 28, October 5 and 6, or from October 12 through 15. The guide below organizes the format, groups, opening matchups and times already converted to Brasília time.
When Champions Shanghai 2026 starts and ends
Riot Games scheduled the 2026 VALORANT World Championship for September 24 through October 18. The group stage runs through October 4. The playoffs begin on October 7 and end with the grand final on October 18.
The event starts at the Jing'an Sports Center. Finals weekend then moves to the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Pudong. Riot detailed the venue split on its official audience and ticket information page.
How the Champions Shanghai format works
According to Riot's official event guide, the 16 teams were divided into four groups. Each group has one representative from Americas, China, EMEA and Pacific. Eight teams advance to the playoffs.
- Group stage: four groups of four teams.
- Group elimination: a second loss ends a team's run.
- Group series format: best of three maps.
- Qualification: two teams from each group reach the playoffs.
- Playoffs: an eight-team double-elimination bracket.
- Bracket rule: the first loss sends a team to the lower bracket, and the second eliminates it.
- Lower bracket final and grand final: best of five maps, according to the official schedule.
Champions Shanghai 2026 groups
The draw placed LOUD in Group B. The four groups and opening matchups were published after the regional slots were decided and can also be checked in the draw record.
| Group | Teams | Opening matchups |
|---|---|---|
| A | 100 Thieves, JD Gaming, FUT Esports, T1 | 100 Thieves vs T1; JD Gaming vs FUT Esports |
| B | Global Esports, LOUD, EDward Gaming, Team Vitality | Global Esports vs Team Vitality; LOUD vs EDward Gaming |
| C | TYLOO, Team Liquid, Paper Rex, G2 Esports | TYLOO vs G2 Esports; Team Liquid vs Paper Rex |
| D | Karmine Corp, Nongshim RedForce, NRG, Xi Lai Gaming | Karmine Corp vs Xi Lai Gaming; Nongshim RedForce vs NRG |
When LOUD plays its first Champions Shanghai 2026 match
LOUD debuts on Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. Brasília time, against EDward Gaming. It is the second series of the day and the opening match for those teams in Group B. Before that, Global Esports and Team Vitality play at 6:00 a.m.
After the opening round, LOUD's next opponent depends on the Group B bracket results. That is why there is not yet a complete list of opponents for the Brazilian team throughout the group stage. What is already fixed is the date and time of the opener. The matchup schedule is also reported by specialist outlet THESPIKE.
Full Champions Shanghai calendar in Brasília time
On regular group and playoff days, the international schedule uses time slots equivalent to 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in Brasília. Starting October 16, the times change for finals weekend. Because later matchups depend on earlier results, several matches remain listed as TBD until the bracket is filled.
| Date | Stage | Schedule in Brasília time |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 24 | Groups | 6:00 a.m.: Team Liquid vs Paper Rex; 9:00 a.m.: TYLOO vs G2 Esports |
| Sep 25 | Groups | 6:00 a.m.: Nongshim RedForce vs NRG; 9:00 a.m.: Karmine Corp vs Xi Lai Gaming |
| Sep 26 | Groups | 6:00 a.m.: Global Esports vs Team Vitality; 9:00 a.m.: LOUD vs EDward Gaming |
| Sep 27 | Groups | 6:00 a.m.: 100 Thieves vs T1; 9:00 a.m.: JD Gaming vs FUT Esports |
| Sep 28 | Break | No matches |
| Sep 29 to Oct 4 | Groups | Two series per day at 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.; matchups depend on results |
| Oct 5 and 6 | Break | No matches |
| Oct 7 to 11 | Playoffs | Two series per day at 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. |
| Oct 12 to 15 | Break | No matches |
| Oct 16 | Playoffs | Two series at 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. |
| Oct 17 | Lower bracket final | 4:00 a.m., best of five |
| Oct 18 | Grand final | 3:00 a.m., best of five |
Times can be adjusted by the organizer. Before each matchday, check the official VALORANT Esports schedule for updated matchups and any changes.
Days with no matches
The calendar has three break blocks. They separate rounds, allow the transition into playoffs and set up finals weekend.
- September 28.
- October 5 and 6.
- October 12, 13, 14 and 15.
That means matches are played from September 24 through 27, then from September 29 through October 4, from October 7 through 11, and finally from October 16 through 18.
What happens on opening day
Riot announced a special program for September 24. The opening day broadcast starts at 5:00 a.m. Brasília time, before the first competitive series. The program includes segments produced around Shanghai and appearances by hosts and creators. Details are available in the official opening day announcement.
Where to watch the matches
Broadcasts are available on official VALORANT Esports channels, including Twitch and YouTube. For LOUD followers, the key date to save is September 26: the Brazilian organization faces EDward Gaming at 9:00 a.m. Brasília time. After that, the Group B bracket determines LOUD's path.
Riot also maintains the official Champions Shanghai tournament page for participants and competition updates. Because the World Championship has not started yet, future matchups and times should be checked again as the bracket is updated.
