VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 Playoffs preview: Who will reach São Paulo?

All VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Stage 2 Playoffs teams have now been decided and will battle not only for the title but also for a spot at VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai, China.

Before they can dream of going to the biggest international event of the year, however, they must first fight their way through the bracket, with the final weekend set to take place in São Paulo, Brazil.

VCT Americas Stage 2 Playoffs teams

Eight teams will compete, but only two will make it to the Grand Finals. These teams are:

• LOUD
• FURIA
• Leviatán
• MIBR
• NRG
• 100 Thieves
• G2 Esports
• Evil Geniuses

Unlike the teams in the Upper Bracket, G2 Esports and Evil Geniuses have no room for error. A loss in their opening match would immediately eliminate them from the competition.

Opening Matchups

LOUD vs FURIA

A true Brazilian classic between two historic organizations. LOUD holds a significant head-to-head advantage, but this could be one of the hardest matches to predict. Both teams have endured difficult periods and multiple roster changes, but are now finding their form again, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling matchup.

In terms of momentum, FURIA enters the matchup on a three-match winning streak, which could give them an extra boost of confidence heading into the series.

Leviatán vs MIBR

The VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Masters London 2026 winners enter as the favourites, especially given their recent form. Their last match was also against MIBR, where they secured a convincing 2-0 victory.

As the more consistent roster, the Leviatán will likely have the edge, but that does not take away from what should be an incredible matchup, packed with talent and individual skill.

Finals: Who Makes it to São Paulo

Based on the current Upper Bracket, NRG and Leviatán look the most likely to secure their spots in São Paulo through the winners’ side. The biggest uncertainty lies in the Lower Bracket, where the matchups are far more unpredictable and could produce some unexpected results.

100 Thieves have a strong chance of making their way through the Lower Bracket, especially given their recent momentum.

As for G2 Esports, despite their impressive regional run in 2025, they have endured a difficult year, leaving them in a Lower Bracket run few would have expected. They may look vulnerable, but G2 have also built a reputation for bouncing back from difficult situations.

Overall, the teams who look most likely to make it to São Paulo are Leviatán, NRG, G2 Esports, and either 100 Thieves or MIBR.

VCT 2026: Championship Points

Unlike other regions, VCT Americas already had three teams that were almost guaranteed to qualify for VALORANT Champions Shanghai through VCT Championship Points.

While it was still mathematically possible for them to miss out, none of the remaining contenders could now surpass their points totals, making their path to VALORANT Champions 2026 much more comfortable. These teams are Leviatán, G2 Esports, and NRG.

The fourth team to qualify will be determined by their performance in the VCT Americas 2026: Stage 2 Playoffs.

The VCT Americas 2026 Stage 2 runs from August 13 to September 6. Only four teams will qualify for the VALORANT Champions 2026, which is set to take place in Shanghai, China.

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 Colin Young-Wolff // Riot Games