VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026: Everything you need to know

The VALORANT Game Changers 2026 - Championship is just around the corner, returning to São Paulo, Brazil, for the first time in three years. Marking the end of the competitive season, the event will feature ten of the best teams in the Game Changers scene, alongside a new anthem and exclusive rewards.

The tournament starts on Thursday, October 22, and you won't want to miss a thing! Here's the complete rundown of dates, format, teams, cosmetics, and the music behind VALORANT Game Changers Championship São Paulo.

When and Where is Game Changers Championship 2026?

The Game Changers Championship 2026 will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, from October 22 to November 1. This marks the second time the country has hosted the tournament, following the 2023 edition.

The tournament will take place at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, which can accommodate up to 140 spectators.

Format Explained

As in previous years, the Game Changers Championship will follow a double-elimination format.

• All matches will be played as best-of-three (Bo3), except for the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which will be best-of-five (Bo5)
• All teams will start in the upper bracket
• Teams will be eliminated from the tournament after losing two series

Teams

The Game Changers Championship features a set number of teams from each region.

While the EMEA, Pacific, and China slots are determined through a single regional tournament, the Americas are split across three regions. North America, Brazil, and Latin America each receive one slot, while the fourth spot is decided through the Americas Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), featuring the second-place teams from each region.

Opening Matchups

To kick off the action at VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026, the opening matchups for each group are set as follows (ordered chronologically):

• FENNEL Female vs MIBR GC (Thursday, October 22 - 11 a.m. PT / 8 p.m. CEST)
• SK Gaming vs Nova Esports GC (Thursday, October 22 - 2 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. CEST)
• Team Liquid Brazil vs Gentle Mates GC (Thursday, October 23 - 11 a.m. PT / 8 p.m. CEST)
• KRÜ Blaze vs Gen.G GC (Thursday, October 23 - 2 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. CEST)
• TBD vs G2 Gozen (Thursday, October 24 - 11 a.m. PT / 8 p.m. CEST)
• TBD vs Shopify Rebellion Gold (Thursday, October 24 - 2 p.m. PT / 11 p.m. CEST)

Drops and Pick'Ems Rewards

Several rewards await at VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026, whether that be exclusive drops for watching games live on the official broadcast or testing your skills in the Pick'Ems challenge.

Pick’Ems close on October 22, just before the first match begins.

Here's a look at all drops and rewards you stand to gain during the event.

Where to Watch the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026

All matches will be broadcast live on the official VALORANT Twitch and YouTube channels, with vertical streams also available on TikTok. Regional VCT channels will carry local-language broadcasts throughout the event.

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 Adela Sznajder/Riot Games