Champions 2026: Paper Rex and Nongshim RedForce eliminated in devastating day for Pacific

If the Pacific region could erase one day from its memory, it would be October 9, 2026. Both Paper Rex and Nongshim RedForce were eliminated from VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai after losing their respective elimination matches in a crushing day for the region.

While Paper Rex fell to fellow Pacific representative T1, Nongshim RedForce was knocked out by 100 Thieves, keeping the Americas' hopes alive with all four representatives still in the tournament.

A bittersweet ending for Paper Rex

Paper Rex was undoubtedly one of the fan-favorite squads at Champions 2026. However, with both Paper Rex and T1 facing off in an all-Pacific elimination match, only one could keep its Lower Bracket run alive, while the other would have to pack its bags and leave the tournament.

This time, Paper Rex’s Champions run came to an end earlier than expected.

The 2026 competitive season has been a bittersweet one for Paper Rex. After falling short in the finals at both VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Masters Santiago 2026 and VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Masters London 2026, the team came close to claiming two more international titles but went home empty-handed.

Champions remains the one international trophy missing from Paper Rex’s collection, and the 2026 edition of the tournament has proven to be yet another disappointment.

VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai

T1

2

X

1

Paper Rex

Lower Bracket Round 1 of 4, Best of 3 - October 9, 2026 - 9:00AM

13

Lotus

7

6

Ascent

13

13

Summit

11

T1

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

iZu

1.12

225

52/43/15

+9

1.21

73.5%

145.4

30%

50%

3

3

Meteor

1.06

214

50/52/10

-2

0.96

76.8%

138.1

24%

67%

12

6

Munchkin

0.99

199

42/38/19

+4

1.11

71.2%

128.9

26%

44%

4

5

BuZz

0.99

214

46/49/16

-3

0.94

73.1%

141.3

20%

48%

10

11

stax

0.90

168

37/39/24

-2

0.95

73.7%

111.5

25%

20%

2

8

Paper Rex

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

something

1.16

261

54/51/14

+3

1.06

77.7%

168.3

35%

53%

9

8

invy

1.04

198

42/44/22

-2

0.95

76.0%

132.3

24%

73%

8

3

Jinggg

0.99

203

46/43/20

+3

1.07

71.4%

152.4

27%

50%

6

6

f0rsakeN

0.92

177

39/43/24

-4

0.91

74.2%

111.3

24%

46%

6

7

d4v41

0.78

164

40/46/9

-6

0.87

67.6%

117.4

30%

30%

3

7

Nongshim RedForce close a year to remember

Despite mounting an impressive comeback on the second map against 100 Thieves, NS RedForce could not maintain the momentum and suffered a one-sided defeat on the third and final map, bringing their VALORANT Champions 2026 run to an end.

For them, Champions 2026 marked the first experience at the tournament for almost the entire roster. Although their early elimination leaves a bittersweet feeling, the Korean organization can look back on a historic season with a smile on their faces.

In 2026, NS RedForce became the first team to earn promotion from Challengers to Tier 1 and win an international title in the same year.

Their triumph in Santiago, Chile, showcased the team's talent and potential on the international stage. However, despite making history earlier in the season, NS RedForce could not extend their run at VALORANT Champions 2026, bringing their debut appearance to an earlier end than hoped.

VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai

100 Thieves

2

X

1

Nongshim RedForce

Lower Bracket Round 1 of 4, Best of 3 - October 9, 2026 - 12:15PM

13

Summit

5

9

Sunset

13

13

Ascent

1

100 Thieves

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Cryocells

1.55

262

56/27/13

+29

2.07

87.2%

164.9

25%

73%

8

3

bang

1.36

232

44/27/29

+17

1.63

86.3%

143.4

28%

70%

7

3

Asuna

1.35

231

47/30/21

+17

1.57

83.6%

129.2

20%

90%

9

1

Timotino

1.12

235

41/39/17

+2

1.05

79.6%

149.7

20%

50%

7

7

vora

0.91

178

30/31/24

-1

0.97

83.3%

114.8

16%

44%

4

5

Nongshim RedForce

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Francis

0.98

224

43/44/6

-1

0.98

65.5%

147.8

30%

29%

5

12

Dambi

0.73

169

30/49/17

-19

0.61

52.7%

114.5

24%

40%

10

15

Xross

0.72

165

29/42/14

-13

0.69

63.5%

124.8

22%

50%

1

1

Ivy

0.71

139

27/40/16

-13

0.68

60.0%

94.6

34%

43%

3

4

Rb

0.68

124

25/43/22

-18

0.58

56.9%

86.6

30%

0%

0

3

Both teams will earn $50,000 in prize money after finishing Champions 2026 in joint 7th–8th place.

For the Pacific region, T1 is now the last team standing, with its representation in the Playoffs dropping from three teams to just one. T1 will face the loser of the match between NRG and LOUD next, which marks the third regional matchup of the Playoffs.

VALORANT Champions 2026 Continues

VALORANT Champions 2026 runs from September 24 to October 18. As the final major international event of the year, it will bring the VCT season to a close in Shanghai, China.

With major changes coming to the competitive circuit in 2027, Champions 2026 carries even greater significance, marking the end of the VALORANT partnership system as we know it today.

For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image by Yicun Liu/Riot Games