The group stage of VALORANT Champions 2025 has concluded, and the tournament is moving into the playoffs. Eight top teams — three from EMEA, three from the Americas, and two from the Pacific — will battle for the season's main title and a prize pool of $2,250,000. The final stage kicks off on September 25, and in the meantime, we've prepared a guide to help you understand all the key details of the tournament.

General Information

The tournament runs from September 12 to October 5, 2025, in France. The group stage took place at Les Arènes, while the playoffs will be held at Accor Arena. The tournament began with 16 of the world's best teams, selected through regional leagues and international events. The format includes a group stage (Double-Elimination GSL) and playoffs (Double-Elimination).

Playoffs

The playoffs begin on September 25 and conclude on October 5. All matches, except for the Lower Final and Grand Final, are played in a Bo3 format. The Lower Final and Grand Final will be in a Bo5 format. The winner will take home $1,000,000 and the world champion title.

Playoff Participants

At Champions 2025, eight of the world's strongest teams remain in the title race: Paper Rex and DRX from the Pacific region, Fnatic, GIANTX, and Team Heretics from EMEA, as well as NRG, G2 Esports, and MIBR from the Americas. The tournament has already seen the departure of XLG Esports, Rex Regum Qeon, Team Liquid, and T1, who finished in the 9th to 12th places. Earlier, Bilibili Gaming, EDward Gaming, Dragon Ranger Gaming, and Sentinels were the first to exit, ending their run in 13th to 16th positions.

Schedule of Opening Matches

• September 25, 3:00 PM CEST — Paper Rex vs G2 Esports
• September 25, 6:00 PM CEST — Fnatic vs DRX
• September 26, 3:00 PM CEST — Team Heretics vs MIBR
• September 26, 6:00 PM CEST — NRG vs GIANTX

Favorites

Fnatic

Fnatic enters the playoffs as one of the top contenders for the championship. The team has had a stable season, winning VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 and reaching the finals at VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025 and the Esports World Cup 2025. Despite a setback at Stage 2, Fnatic remains a team that knows how to peak at major tournaments. Their experience and cohesion make them a serious threat to any opponent.

Paper Rex

Paper Rex continues to hold the status of the best team in the Pacific region and has consistently ranked among the world's elite for several years. In 2025, they won Masters Toronto and VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 2, once again proving their championship level on the international stage. Their aggressive style and confidence in crucial matches position Paper Rex as one of the main favorites for the upcoming playoffs.

G2 Esports

G2 Esports has become a flagship team for the Americas region this season. Victories at VCT 2025: Americas Stage 1 and Stage 2, along with a final appearance at VALORANT Masters Bangkok 2025, attest to their high level. The team confidently handles regional opponents and delivers commendable results on the international stage, making them real contenders for reaching the finals of Champions 2025.

Underdogs

GIANTX is considered the weakest team among the eight playoff participants. Despite securing second place at VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2, the team has yet to demonstrate consistent success on the global stage. They have the potential to surprise, but compared to more experienced and titled opponents, GIANTX appears less formidable and risks an early exit from the tournament.

Prize Pool

The total prize pool for Champions 2025 is $2,250,000, distributed as follows:

• 1st place — $1,000,000
• 2nd place — $400,000
• 3rd place — $250,000
• 4th place — $130,000
• 5th-6th place — $85,000
• 7th-8th place — $50,000
• 9th-12th place — $30,000
• 13th-16th place — $20,000

The final part of VALORANT Champions 2025 will take place from September 25 to October 5 at Accor Arena in Paris. In the playoffs, eight of the world's strongest teams will compete for a prize pool of $2,250,000. Stay updated on the event by following this link.