Updates
Oct. 3, 2025 – NRG beats Paper Rex to qualify to grand final
Sep. 29, 2025 – FNATIC shut down Paper Rex, win 12 rounds in a row
Sept. 26, 2025 – Paper Rex – FNATIC secure their Champions showdown
Sept. 23, 2025 – Playoffs preview: matches, schedule and best picks
Sept. 22, 2025 – MIBR and G2 Esports secure final playoff spots
Sept. 20, 2025 – EDward Gaming and Sentinels eliminated
Sept. 18, 2025 – Four teams secure their place in the playoffs
Sept. 15, 2025 – Group stage elimination matches previews
All of the Riot Games-managed Valorant tournaments of the year have led up to the coveted 2025 Valorant Champions event. With professional teams worldwide facing off for a chance to win it all, it’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive tournaments in Valorant history, and our preview will help you understand exactly what to expect.
Unlike the previous Masters tournaments, the 2025 VCT Champions event works a bit differently by starting with a group stage. While 16 teams have worked hard to qualify for the tournament, the number will be split in half by the time the playoffs come around.
| Event | Valorant Champions 2025 |
|---|---|
| Start date | September 12, 2025 |
| End date | October 5, 2025 |
| Reward | $1,000,000 |
| Teams | 18 |
| Venue | Les Arènes, Paris |
16 teams will compete in the 2025 Valorant Champions tournament from across the game’s four regions of competition. Those teams are:
Out of these 16 teams, Team Liquid, G2 Esports, and Paper Rex are the significant favorites to win. All three teams have showcased excellent play in their respective domestic competitions, while also making waves throughout the year when playing abroad to raise the confidence fans have in them today.
DRX, MIBR, and GIANTX are among the biggest underdogs going into the tournament. These three teams failed to make lasting impressions, and while they each qualified for Champions, it wasn’t easy for any of the three.
Team Heretics (X/Twitter)
The tournament has multiple potential dark horses, but Fnatic and T1 may have the most potential in this regard. Both teams have been inconsistent in 2025, thus their not ranking among the event favorites. But both have impressed with their play more recently.
The 2025 VCT Champions tournament is divided into two main parts. The first is the group stage, while the main event is the playoffs. The two stages have different formats.
With the group stage out of the way, the playoffs are fairly straightforward.
The 2025 Valorant Champions will kick off with the group stage on September 12, 2025, at 9 am EST / 3 pm CET.
The group stage will determine which teams advance to the playoffs and will run until the 22nd. The playoffs will then start after three days on September 25, with the grand finals beginning on October 5, 2025, at 7 am EST / 1 pm CET. Find out how to watch Valorant Champs here.
Fnatic (X/Twitter)
Valorant odds as of 6:37 am ET September 18, 2025.
Every one of the 16 teams in the 2025 VCT Champions will receive a piece of the $2,250,000 Valorant Champions prize pool based on their final ranking.
| Placement | Winnings |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000,000 |
| 2 | $400,000 |
| 3 | $250,000 |
| 4 | $130,000 |
| 5-6 | $85,000 |
| 7-8 | $50,000 |
| 9-12 | $30,000 |
| 13-16 | $20,000 |
While this tournament ensures that no team returns empty-handed regardless of their placement, every team will be aiming for the top spot in the final standings.
Despite the odds seemingly being stacked against it, it may be a good idea to ride T1 as the dark horse for those interested in Valorant betting.
T1 proved that it’s more than a match for any team internationally, despite how often it stumbled in the recent VCT split. Those looking to significantly increase their potential returns may want to bet on T1 with its longer odds to at least reaching the grand final.
As for the ultimate victor, Paper Rex and G2 Esports are both looking particularly strong. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that a repeat of Masters Bangkok could be seen, where G2 comfortably demolishes the opposition on its way to a grand final appearance. Fans will just have to hope that the final match goes better for G2 than it did last time, should that come to pass. Read more about who will win Valorant Champions 2025.
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