This September, the world of VALORANT turns its eyes to Paris for the biggest tournament of the year. VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 – Champions Paris promises to be the highlight of the season, bringing together the strongest teams, an updated map pool, legendary arenas, and a prize pool that will keep the stakes sky-high. Here is everything you need to know before the action begins.
Schedule and Format
Champions Paris runs from September 12 to October 5. The tournament begins with the group stage, which will last from September 12 to 22. Sixteen teams are divided into four groups of four, and only the top two from each group will advance. That leaves eight teams to battle in the playoffs, which are scheduled from September 25 to October 5.
Each tournament day will feature two matches. They will be played in a best-of-three format, except for the lower final and the grand final, which will be best-of-five showdowns. Matches start at 3:00 p.m. local time in Paris, with the second game of the day beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Teams and Groups
A total of sixteen teams from four regions have qualified for Champions Paris. Each region sends four representatives, and their seeding was determined by regional performance. Winners of regional competitions entered as top seeds, while the remaining slots were distributed based on placement and championship points.
Region / Qualification Method | Team | Main Roster | Coaching Staff |
Americas Points (#3) | Sentinels | zekken; johnqt; Zellsis; bang; N4RRATE | Head Coach: kaplan; Assistant Coach: GUNTER |
Americas Points (#4) | MIBR | artziN; xenom; cortezia; aspas; Verno | Head Coach: fRoD; Coach: Iara |
China Stage 2 (#2) | Dragon Ranger Gaming | Nicc; vo0kashu; SpiritZ1; Flex1n; Akeman | Head Coach: NaThanD; Assistant Coach: LT |
China Points (#3) | EDward Gaming | CHICHOO; nobody; ZmjjKK; Smoggy; Jieni7 | Head Coach: Muggle; Assistant Coach: heav1n |
China Points (#4) | XLG Esports | Rarga; happywei; coconut; Viva; NoMan | Head Coach: hvoya; Assistant: balax |
EMEA Stage 2 (#1) | Team Liquid | nAts; keiko; kamo; paTiTek; trexx | Head Coach: LohaN; Assistant: yaotziN |
EMEA Stage 2 (#2) | GIANTX | Cloud; westside; Flickless; ara; GRUBINHO | Head Coach: pipsoN; Assistant Coaches: wayLander, Mew |
EMEA Points (#3) | Fnatic | Boaster; Alfajer; Chronicle; kaajak; crashies | Head Coach: Milan; Assistant Coach: Scuttt |
EMEA Points (#4) | Team Heretics | Boo; benjyfishy; MiniBoo; RieNs; Wo0t | Head Coach: neilzinho; Assistants: weber, Pablo |
Pacific Stage 2 (#1) | Paper Rex | d4v41; f0rsakeN; something; Jinggg; PatMen | Head Coach: alecks |
Pacific Stage 2 (#2) | Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) | xffero; Jemkin; monyet; Kushy; crazyguy | Head Coach: Ewok; Assistant: Warbirds |
Pacific Points (#3) | T1 | iZu; stax; Meteor; BuZz; DH | Head Coach: Autumn; Assistant Coaches: CheongGak, indigo |
Pacific Points (#4) | DRX | MaKo; free1ng; HYUNMIN; Estrella; Flashback | Head Coach: termi; Assistant Coaches: Argency, glow |
To ensure international competition from the very start, the draw followed a simple rule: no two teams from the same region could be placed in the same group. This guarantees that every group will feature diverse matchups and set the stage for cross-regional rivalries in the opening rounds.
The New Map Pool
This year’s Champions introduces a fresh map pool that will test how quickly teams can adapt. With the arrival of Patch 11.04, the competitive rotation now includes Haven, Ascent, Bind, Lotus, Corrode, Sunset, and the returning Abyss. Icebox has been rotated out, making way for Abyss to re-enter the scene for the first time since March. With just a short window to practice, teams must prove whether their preparation is enough to master the biggest shake-up of the year.
Venue
For the first time in history, the VALORANT Champions grand tournament will take place in Paris. The opening stages will be held at Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud in Évry-Courcouronnes, which will host both the group stage and the first week of playoffs. This venue allows re-entry with a stamp, sells light food and beverages, and encourages fans to attend in cosplay as long as their faces remain visible.
The tournament will then move to the legendary Accor Arena for the final three days, including the grand final. With a capacity of more than 20,000 spectators, Accor Arena has hosted everything from the Olympic Games to concerts by global superstars. In October, it will provide the backdrop for crowning the next VALORANT world champion.
Prize Pool
The competition carries an impressive prize pool of $2.25 million USD. Only the top eight teams will secure a share, with the eventual winner claiming a staggering $1 million prize alongside the championship trophy. For players and organizations alike, this is more than a tournament—it is a battle for prestige, legacy, and life-changing rewards.
Pick’Ems and Factions
Riot Games is once again bringing back the popular Pick’Em challenge for Champions, giving fans a chance to make predictions and earn rewards such as buddies, sprays, and unique titles. In 2025, the system introduces a new twist: Factions. Ten global creators will lead their own fan factions, and every viewer’s picks will contribute to their chosen leader’s standings. At the end of the tournament, the creator with the strongest community performance will be crowned the first-ever Pick’Ems Faction Champion and awarded THE BELT. Fans aligned with the winning faction will also receive special in-game items selected by their leader.
The lineup of faction leaders includes big names such as Tenz, Tarik, Sacy, Mixwell, Laz, and several others, making this year’s Pick’Em as competitive off the stage as it will be on it.
Standout Teams
At the main VALORANT tournament of the year, there simply can’t be weak teams for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, a few squads stand out.
Team Liquid, who, after roster changes, demonstrated an exceptionally high level of play at EMEA Stage 2, which helped them defeat GIANTX in the grand final without much trouble.
Team Heretics, who performed well at EWC Valorant 2025. However, this team is not known for consistency; at one tournament, they can defeat anyone effortlessly, while at another, they might lose to underdogs.
Paper Rex, who have steadily improved their form over the season. They managed to win VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025, secure 4th place at EWC 2025, and also claim victory at VCT 2025: Pacific Stage 2 without major difficulties.
Where to Watch
Fans around the world will be able to follow Champions Paris across multiple platforms, with streams available in a wide range of languages. Official broadcasts will be hosted on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok.
VALORANT Champions 2025 in Paris is shaping up to be the defining esports event of the year. With sixteen of the world’s best teams, a fresh competitive map pool, a record-breaking prize fund, and arenas that embody both history and spectacle, this tournament is set to make headlines worldwide.
Team Liquid Brazil22.09.2519:00Bo3
2GAME GCWatch match
107