THESPIKE.GG’s VALORANT Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems Guide: Group Stage

The biggest event of VALORANT’s competitive year is almost here, and that means Pick’Ems are back.

Unsure which teams will make it out of groups? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here at THESPIKE we have combined our expertise to try and create the most accurate Pick’Ems for VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Champions Shanghai. Here’s who we’ve picked to advance from the Group Stage, and why.

GROUP A

Everyone already knows it: 100 Thieves are among the favourites to take home the trophy; the team has looked amazing over the last few months. The EWC - Esports World Cup 2026 and VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Stage 2 champions are here to win. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine any team among T1, JD Gaming, and FUT Esports stopping them, but nothing is impossible.

FUT on the other hand, did not look great at the VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - EMEA Stage 2 Barcelona Finals, so we expect them to struggle in this group. JDG are the second seed from China, and it's always hard to predict chinese teams, as they are very volatile when it comes to international events.

In our opinion, T1 have looked solid enough to make it through this group via the lower bracket, especially since they will face 100 Thieves in the opening match. That makes 100 Thieves and T1 our picks to make it through to the playoffs.

Picks: 100 Thieves & T1.

GROUP B

What a run from Global Esports in VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Pacific Stage 2. The reverse sweep against Nongshim RedForce in the Grand final showed everyone that they are a team you can never count out.

LOUD are coming into the tournament after a generational run in Stage 2, but their young roster could crumble under pressure, as this is the first international event for many of their players. Team Vitality and EDward Gaming, on the other hand, have plenty of experience in their lineups. Players like Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev, Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov, and Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang could be key factors at this event.

Even if EDG get to play in their home country, their Stage 2 was a disaster, so we don't see them going far in the tournament. This is a hard group to predict: in our opinion Global Esports and Team Vitality are the teams we think have the best chance of getting out. However, it will be very close, as LOUD have been on great form recently, and KangKang, with a Chinese crowd backing him up, could easily pop off.

GROUP C

The last few months have been tough for Paper Rex as they had a thight schedule in a season full of matches. Since EWC, things have looked bad for them, as they dropped out of Stage 2 after losing to VARREL in the early stages of playoffs. However, we should not read too much into that.

They had the chance to rest, and we think they will arrive at the tournament in their best form. G2 Esports are known for not performing internationally, and since their domestic form hasn’t been the best either, the future doesn’t look bright.

Team Liquid just announced that Seymon "purp0" Borchev has been benched in favour of Ognjen "GSR" Bondžić, who will be stepping into his first Tier-1 match on the biggest stage of all. Purp0 has had a very rough time in Barcelona, but promoting a rookie to the main team before an event like this one is a big gamble.

TYLOO, meanwhile, look like the best Chinese team by far, and playing at home will help. Because of all these factors, TYLOO and Paper Rex are the teams we think will get through the group.

GROUP D

Karmine Corp are on a run. It looks like nothing can stop them, and this is the stage where they have to keep their miracle run alive. From 0-5 to the global stage, seeing KC do well would be the best an EMEA fan could ask for.

NRG, however, are always ready. The VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions winners always show up when it matters, and we know it: they are a difficult team to take down. Nongshim RedForce's level is very close to that of GE, as the grand final was in their hands before the third map kicked off. Xi Lai Gaming, on the other hand, just don't really seem to stand a chance. In truth, it’s hard to imagine them winning a match.

The teams that we think will secure a spot in the playoffs are Karmine Corp and Nongshim RedForce.

Pick'Em Rewards for VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026

Pick'Ems always bring with themselves exciting rewards, here are those year's ones:

• Participation prize: "Calculated" Title.
• Global Top 50% finish: Stone of Heaven Buddy.
• Global Top 20% finish: Pick'Ems Master: Stone of Heaven Buddy.
• Perfect Pick'Ems: "100%" Title.

VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 is scheduled to begin on September 24, with the Grand Final set for October 18. So, we will soon have the chance to see the best teams from around the world compete against each other. Are you ready?

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 Credit: Riot Games