VALORANT Champions 2026 Playoffs Pick'Ems Guide & Bracket Predictions

After almost two weeks of intense group stage competition at VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026, eight elite VALORANT teams have qualified for the double-elimination Playoffs Stage running from October 7 to 18. With the tournament bracket officially set, the second phase of the Pick'Ems challenge is live. 

Unlike the Group stage, where fans simply picked qualifying teams, the VALORANT Champions Shanghai Playoffs Pick'Ems require predicting every single series outcome across the entire double-elimination bracket.

Locking in predictions before the opening matches begin is required to earn points. Make sure to lock your picks before the Pick'Ems challenge closes on October 7, at 2:10 am PT!

Point Structure & Scoring Mechanics

Navigating the Pick'Em challenge requires understanding how points scale as the tournament progresses. Earlier rounds carry minimal points, while late-stage upper and lower bracket matches award significantly heavier point totals. 

Because an early incorrect pick can disrupt predictions down the line, choosing consistent teams capable of deep runs is crucial to maximizing total points.

Pick'Ems Guide: Playoffs Predictions

Upper Bracket Predictions

Round 1:

The upper bracket opens with four high-stakes quarterfinal matchups between group leaders and second seeds.

• In the first quarterfinal matchup, 100 Thieves takes on G2 Esports. Entering playoffs in peak form after clean 2-0’s against T1 and FUT, 100 Thieves is predicted to defeat G2 Esports. 
• In the second opening series, Team Vitality faces Nongshim RedForce. As EMEA's sole representative in the top eight, Team Vitality's strong group stage form makes them the pick over Nongshim RedForce.
• On the other side of the upper bracket, reigning world champions NRG face Pacific's T1. NRG's championship pedigree gives them the edge to win against T1. 
• Completing the upper quarterfinals, Paper Rex collides with LOUD. Paper Rex's explosive hyper-aggressive style earns them the prediction victory over LOUD.

Round 2:

• Moving into Upper Bracket Round 2, 100 Thieves matches up against Team Vitality. 100 Thieves' dominant 4–0 map run in the group stage propels them past Vitality into the Upper Bracket Final. 
• On the bottom half of the upper semifinals, NRG battles Paper Rex. NRG secures the victory over Paper Rex to advance. 

Upper Bracket Finals:

• In the Upper Bracket Final, 100 Thieves is predicted to beat NRG, claiming the first spot in the Grand Final.

VALORANT Champions 2026 Upper Bracket Predictions

Lower Bracket Predictions

Teams that drop to the lower bracket face immediate elimination. 

Round 1:

• In Lower Bracket Round 1, G2 Esports meets Nongshim RedForce. Nongshim RedForce is predicted to defeat G2 Esports, eliminating the Americas seed.
• Simultaneously, T1 plays LOUD, with LOUD advancing past T1.

Round 2:

• Lower Bracket Round 2 sees the upper quarterfinal losers re-enter the bracket. Paper Rex faces Nongshim RedForce, with Paper Rex picking up the victory.
• In the adjacent lower series, Team Vitality defeats LOUD to stay alive.

Lower Bracket Semifinals and Finals:

• In the Lower Bracket Semifinals, Paper Rex battles Team Vitality in an international blockbuster. Paper Rex emerges victorious, advancing to the Lower Bracket Final.
• There, Paper Rex meets NRG, who dropped down after their upper final loss. In a thrilling rematch, Paper Rex defeats NRG to complete a lower bracket run and lock in their spot in the Grand Final.

VALORANT Champions 2026 Playoffs Lower Bracket Predictions

Grand Final Prediction & World Champion Pick

The tournament culminates in a Grand Final showdown between Upper Bracket winner 100 Thieves and Lower Bracket survivor Paper Rex.

100 Thieves is predicted to win the Grand Final and lift the VALORANT Champions 2026 trophy. Boasting a seasoned roster with star players Asuna, Cryo, and bang, 100 Thieves enters the final match with an unblemished 100% Grand Final win record in 2026. 

Their tactical depth, individual firepower, and upper bracket rest advantage position them as the ultimate choice to claim the world championship.

VALORANT Champions 2026 Playoffs Predictions

With high-stakes matchups and escalating point multipliers across the double-elimination bracket, locking in your Pick'Em predictions before October 7 is essential. Every correct pick brings you closer to the exclusive title and the gun buddies. Make your choices, follow the action live, and test your forecasting skills against the global VALORANT community!

VALORANT Champions Shanghai Pick'Ems Rewards

Participating in the challenge awards exclusive community titles and gun buddies based on overall performance. Here's a look at all of the rewards available through the VALORANT Champions Shanghai Pick'Ems challenge.

• All Participants: If you already made a pick in the Group Stages, you have already earned the “Make a Pick” title. If not, making a pick now will also grant you the title. 

• Top 50%: Placing in the upper half of all predictors earns the “Stone of Heaven” gun buddy.

• Top 20%: Reaching the top tier upgrades the reward to the Golden “Pick'Ems Master: Stone of Heaven Buddy” gun buddy.

• Perfect Bracket: Achieving 100% accuracy across every single matchup awards the ultra-rare "100%" title.

VALORANT Champions 2026 Pick'Ems Rewards (Image Source: Riot Games)

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Featured Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Read More:

VALORANT Champions 2026 Playoffs: Bracket, Teams, Schedule, and More

Historical Disaster in Shanghai: VCT China Leaves Winless at Champions 2026