VALORANT at Esports World Cup 2026: The complete viewer's guide
The EWC - Esports World Cup 2026 is almost here, and VALORANT is set to kick off what promises to be the most exciting week of the entire seven-week festival. Running from July 2 to July 12, 2026, at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in France, the VALORANT tournament at EWC 2026 will feature 16 of the world's best teams battling it out for a $2,000,000 prize pool.
The broader EWC 2026 festival spans July 6 through August 23 across 24 games and 25 tournaments—including Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends (ALGS), Dota 2, League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and more—with a combined prize pool exceeding $75 million. VALORANT is up first, firing the starting gun on what is shaping up to be the biggest esports event of the year.
Format
The VALORANT EWC 2026 tournament is split into two phases:
- Group Stage: July 2–7, 2026
- Four groups of four teams each
- Double-Elimination (GSL) format
- All matches are Bo3
- Top two teams from each group advance to Playoffs
- Playoffs: July 9–12, 2026
- Single-Elimination bracket
- All matches are Bo3 (except the Grand Final)
- Grand Final is Bo5
The 16 Teams
These are the 16 clubs that have earned their spot in Paris:
| Team | Region | Qualification Path |
|---|---|---|
| Team Heretics | EMEA | EWC 2025 Champions (Direct Invite) |
| G2 Esports | Americas | VCT Americas 2026 Stage 1 Winners |
| EDward Gaming | China | VCT China 2026 Stage 1 Winners |
| Paper Rex | Pacific | VCT Pacific 2026 Stage 1 Winners |
| Team Vitality | EMEA | VCT EMEA 2026 Stage 1 Winners |
| MIBR | Americas | EWC Americas Qualifier |
| 100 Thieves | Americas | EWC Americas Qualifier |
| NRG | Americas | EWC Americas Qualifier |
| XLG Esports | China | EWC China Qualifier |
| All Gamers | China | EWC China Qualifier |
| Gentle Mates | EMEA | EWC EMEA Qualifier |
| Karmine Corp | EMEA | EWC EMEA Qualifier |
| BBL Esports | EMEA | EWC EMEA Qualifier |
| Rex Regum Qeon | Pacific | EWC Pacific Qualifier |
| Global Esports | Pacific | EWC Pacific Qualifier |
| Nongshim RedForce | Pacific | EWC Pacific Qualifier |
Team Heretics enter as defending champions after their stunning reverse sweep victory at EWC - Esports World Cup 2025, and are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back EWC VALORANT titles.
Groups & Opening Matches
The four groups and their opening-round matchups are as follows:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Every group features at least one headline matchup worth tuning in for. Group A's EDG vs. BBL and Group B's Paper Rex vs. NRG should generate the most early buzz, while Group D sees defending champions Team Heretics step onto the stage against the EWC China Qualifier 2nd seed All Gamers.
Prize Pool & EWC Club Points
The $2,000,000 prize pool is distributed as follows, along with EWC Club Points — the currency that determines which organization is crowned the best esports club in the world by the end of the season:
| Placement | Prize Money | EWC Club Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $600,000 | 1,000 |
| 2nd | $340,000 | 750 |
| 3rd | $220,000 | 500 |
| 4th | $140,000 | 300 |
| 5th – 8th | $90,000 | 200 |
| 9th – 12th | $55,000 | 0 |
| 13th – 16th | $30,000 | 0 |
Broadcast Talent
- Stage Hosts:
- Iain Chambers
- Loupiote (Lou Henguelle)
- Desk Hosts:
- dGon (Daniel Gonzales)
- Puckett (Chris Puckett)
- Analysts:
- athxna (Mirna Noureldin)
- BigTime (Morgan Jay)
- kaquka (Beatriz Alonso)
- Commentators:
- Achilios (Seth King)
- MitchMan (Mitch McBride)
- Paperthin (Clinton Bader)
- Tombizz (Tom Bissmire)
- athxna (Mirna Noureldin)
- AVRL (Kevin Walker)
- pilski (Mitchell Pilipowski)
Where to Watch
You can catch all the action live across the following platforms:
For fans in Paris, EWC 2026 tickets are available to purchase on the official Esports World Cup website, giving you the chance to experience the action live at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The Stage is Set
The Esports World Cup 2026 VALORANT tournament has all the ingredients of an all-time classic. With 16 teams, a $2 million prize pool, and a world-class broadcast team assembled in the heart of Paris, there has never been a better time to be a VALORANT fan. Block your calendars from July 2nd, and make sure you're tuned in, as this is one you won't want to miss.
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 Source: Esports World Cup
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