100 Thieves and Team Vitality secure tickets to Champions 2026 playoffs

Riot Games has seen the next two tickets handed out at the VALORANT Champions 2026 group stage, with Team Vitality and 100 Thieves both securing their place in the playoffs with undefeated records. Meanwhile, all four of China's representatives, EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, TYLOO and Xi Lai Gaming, are facing elimination after losing their opening matches. According to the results, Team Vitality (EMEA) defeated LOUD 2-0 to top Group A. The series began on Ascent, where Vitality won convincingly. The second map turned into a tense affair as both sides were dragged into overtime. Vitality eventually came out on top 19-17 in a marathon that lasted 36 rounds, one of the most dramatic maps of the day. What stands out is Vitality's kill distribution across the series. All five players recorded at least 42 kills, with four of them finishing on exactly 42 and Jamppi on 43. That spread reflects a system-oriented style that does not rely on any single star. LOUD, by contrast, was assessed as depending heavily on individual plays from lukxo and tkzin, and that was not enough against a consistent Vitality side. In Group B, 100 Thieves (Americas) also finished the group stage 2-0 after defeating FUT Esports. The match started slowly and was repeatedly interrupted by technical pauses, significantly affecting the pace of both teams. On Lotus, 100 Thieves trailed in the first half but completed a comeback to win 13-10 and close out the series. One notable point in the 100 Thieves lineup is Timotino, who played Neon on Lotus and contributed importantly to the comeback. FUT Esports is known for creating upsets through individual plays, but against a disciplined 100 Thieves side that minimised gaps, they had few opportunities to use that strength. With Paper Rex and NRG having already qualified earlier, four playoff teams are now confirmed. Team Vitality, 100 Thieves, Paper Rex and NRG all finished the group stage unbeaten and hold a major advantage in rest time and scouting opportunity. LOUD and FUT Esports lost their matches but still control their own destiny. The format allows teams that lost their opener to keep their hopes alive, and both must win their decider. LOUD will face the winner of Global Esports versus EDward Gaming, while FUT Esports will take on the winner of JD Gaming versus T1. In Thursday's must-win bracket, the teams at risk of elimination include Global Esports, EDward Gaming, JD Gaming, T1, TYLOO, Team Liquid, Xi Lai Gaming and Nongshim RedForce. TYLOO will face Team Liquid, while Xi Lai Gaming meet Nongshim RedForce. Notably, all four of China's representatives at this year's event are on the brink. EDward Gaming and JD Gaming lost in Groups A and B, while TYLOO and Xi Lai Gaming, in Groups C and D respectively, have yet to record a point. If they fail to win their next matches, a group-stage exit for all four Chinese teams is entirely possible. In terms of the regional picture, the Americas are showing clear strength with two of the four group winners in NRG and 100 Thieves, plus LOUD still in a strong position. EMEA has one group winner in Vitality, one team fighting for a spot in FUT Esports, and one team facing elimination in Team Liquid. The Pacific region has Paper Rex topping a group, but its other three teams, Global Esports, T1 and Nongshim RedForce, are all in difficult positions. The race for the final playoff spots is entering its most intense phase. The decisive matches will take place in the coming days, and their results will determine the bracket of the Champions 2026 knockout stage.