VCT Champions 2026 Power Ranking [Best Valorant Teams Ranked]
The biggest Valorant tournament of the year is right around the corner, as VCT Champions 2026 in Shanghai kicks off on September 24. If you’re looking to follow and bet on this esports event, let’s make sure you know which teams to look out for. Here are our VCT Champions 2026 power rankings.
| Power Ranking | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | 100 Thieves |
| 2nd | Paper Rex |
| 3rd | NRG Esports |
| 4th | Nongshim RedForce |
| 5th | Karmine Corp |
| 6th | G2 Esports |
| 7th | LOUD |
| 8th | TYLOO |
| 9th | Global Esports |
| 10th | T1 |
| 11th | FUT Esports |
| 12th | EDward Gaming |
| 13th | Team Vitality |
| 14th | Team Liquid |
| 15th | JD Gaming |
| 16th | XLG Esports |
Disclaimer: Anything can happen
These rankings are based on recent results and international experience. Favorites can always fall victim to upsets, and underdogs could pop off at any time. This makes the markets at esports betting sites for the tournament even more exciting.
Below is what GGBET is currently offering for the tournament’s opening fixtures.
#1 100 Thieves
Image credit: Esports Foundation
In the past few months, 100 Thieves have looked like the strongest Valorant team. They started out the season as a pretty mediocre team, but went on to win the Esports World Cup – one of the biggest international tournaments of the year.
100 Thieves used the momentum from their EWC win to claim the VCT Americas Stage 2 trophy, beating the likes of NRG and LEVIATAN on the way. Overall, they’ve shown they can beat top teams and also win titles – that’s why many believe they’re the favorites coming into VCT Champions 2026.
#2 Paper Rex
Paper Rex are undoubtedly the most consistent Valorant team in international tournaments. After all, the Southeast Asian squad made it to the grand final of both, the VCT Masters Santiago and VCT Masters London.
However, the team has slowed down since then. They bombed out of the Esports World Cup in last place and also failed to win VCT Pacific Stage 2, so their form is in question. However, this squad has some of the best Valorant players in the world, so we can never count them out of such an important tournament like VCT Champions.
#3 NRG Esports
NRG are the defending champions, having won VCT Champions 2025 in Paris twelve months ago. They’ve already proven they have what it takes to win the biggest title in Valorant, so it’s hard to doubt they can’t do it again.
The team is yet to win a title this year, but they’re still in good form. NRG consistently made deep runs this season, including a third-place finish at VCT Masters Santiago and second at the Esports World Cup.
Though NRG may not be the GGBET outright favorites to win the event, Valorant betting sites still offers odds on them making a deep run in the tournament and they should not be discounted.
#4 Nongshim RedForce
Image credit: Colin Young-Wolff / Riot Games
Nongshim RedForce started the year with total domination, winning VCT Masters Santiago without dropping a single series. However, the squad failed to qualify for London and looked out of shape.
But, the South Korean team is making a resurgence after a strong showing at VCT Pacific Stage 2, where they almost won the title and placed second. It looks like they’ve found a second wind and could be a very dangerous team heading into Shanghai.
#5 Karmine Corp
Karmine Corp has been the biggest surprise of all regional Stage 2 tournaments. This team failed to crack the top eight in two regional EMEA events and suddenly decided to win an entire tournament out of nowhere.
KC dominated VCT EMEA Stage 2 and are looking like the best team from the region. If you’re one to believe that recent performance matters the most, this is the team to look out for.
#6 G2 Esports
Image credit: Colin Young Wolff / Riot Games
If we’re being completely honest, G2 Esports have not looked good at all in recent months, finishing top eight at VCT Masters London and exiting EWC in groups. Not to mention, they also bombed out in fourth place at VCT Americas Stage 2, which is a low placement for a roster once recognized as the best Valorant team in the world.
However, we believe G2 are still one of the most experienced squads at the event. They almost always make a deep run at international events – at least top eight – so we think they’re still worthy of this placement on our power ranking.
#7 LOUD
LOUD is another team that made a last-minute resurgence before the VCT Champions invites were locked in. This team took down Americas’ top dogs and finished second at Stage 2 to book their tickets to Shanghai.
They have young talent and solid firepower, and might be a heavily underrated team heading into the event. If you like betting on underdogs, we highly recommend keeping a close eye on LOUD.
#8 TYLOO
Chinese Valorant has been looking grim, but TYLOO is here to save the region – just in time for the tournament in Shanghai. TYLOO dominated VCT China Stage 2 to win the title, looking like the country’s strongest representative heading into the event.
However, the main concern is the team’s lack of international experience – VCT Champions 2026 is going to be the organization’s first international VCT event, but they have the potential to be the biggest surprise there.
The Rest of the Field
There are a lot of high-profile teams competing at the tournament, with household names like T1, Team Liquid, and EDward Gaming. Unfortunately, these teams haven’t looked too sharp, which is why they’ll have to settle in the bottom half.
However, if we’re looking for dark horses, we believe FUT Esports, Global Esports, and Team Vitality are some teams that could pull off some upsets.
Feature image credit: Riot Games
Owen lives for competition, spending most of his gaming hours on Dota 2, CS2, and Valorant. A regular on the SEA Dota 2 leaderboards, he combines his first-hand experience with a deep passion for esports journalism, following the professional scenes of all three esports betting titles religiously. When he’s not writing, he’s most probably betting on esports and watching the latest events.
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