Riot Games Announces VALORANT Champions 2026 Shanghai

Riot Games has announced that VALORANT Champions 2026 will take place in Shanghai, China. This marks the first time that VALORANT Champions will be hosted in China and the second time that the region will host an international tournament after VALORANT Masters Shanghai 2024.

Building on Past Successes

Shanghai is no stranger to the global VALORANT spotlight. Just last season, the city hosted Masters Shanghai 2024 at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Arena. That event drew very high viewership, a packed venue, and painted the city with VALORANT hype. Riot noted that the “unforgettable energy” of the packed arena and enthusiastic local fans solidified Shanghai’s reputation as a top esports destination.

Why Shanghai and Why Now?

The timing for Champions Shanghai is deliberate. Chinese teams have made waves internationally, and local passion is at an all-time high. Star teams like EDward Gaming and Wolves Esports have energized fans, while VALORANT Mobile’s runaway success, which achieved over 40 million pre-registrations in China in just two months, demonstrates the game’s broad appeal.

Riot’s announcement captured this sentiment:

“[Masters Shanghai 2024] proved what we believed: Shanghai wasn’t just ready to show up, it was ready to host the biggest event on the VCT calendar. Champions 2026 in Shanghai marks the next milestone in our journey to bring VALORANT’s biggest event to the heart of each major region.”

With Champions 2025 in Paris yet to unfold, details for Champions 2026 remain under wraps. However, fans can expect a return to the spectacle and community celebration that made Masters Shanghai a landmark event.

Read the full notice HERE.

As the VCT continues to expand globally, holding Champions 2026 in Shanghai isn’t just a competitive milestone; it’s a celebration of how China’s esports scene is now slowly rising to be the center of the VALORANT universe.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games

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