Global Esports are heading to China to make their first-ever appearance at the highly anticipated VALORANT Champions as the top seed from the Pacific Region following their impressive run at the VCT Pacific Stage 2 earlier in September, where they won the trophy.
Set to run between September 24 and October 18, 2026, the group stage has already kicked off at the time of writing and will run until October 4. Global Esports, who were drawn into Group B, will face some highly formidable names in Team Vitality, LOUD, and EDward Gaming, making their Champions debut a highly interesting one, especially for the fans.
Their opening match is set to take place on September 26, 2026, at 2:30 PM Indian time, when they will take on Team Vitality. The opening match result will determine their fate down the line, as two losses in the group stage will see them crash out. Find the schedule below:
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2026 | Global Esports vs Team Vitality | 2:30 PM | Group Stage |
| September 30, 2026 | Global Esports — Opponent TBD | TBD | Group Stage (Potential match) |
| October 2, 2026* | Global Esports — Opponent TBD | TBD | Group Stage (Potential match) |
| October 4, 2026* | Global Esports — Opponent TBD | TBD | Group Stage (Potential match) |
Being drawn into Group B, the other opening match will take place between LOUD and EDward Gaming, and its result will also play a key role in determining who GE faces next. The winners and losers of the opening matches will face each other in the following match, whose result will, in turn, determine the third game.
The Champions’ group stage uses a double-elimination format, which gives GE the much-needed buffer as they make their debut. Losing two matches in a row will call the curtains on a team, but there is a strong chance that GE comes out of the group given their convincing performances in the previous events.
For VALORANT fans in India, a Champions spot is a major milestone that sets the benchmark for the future. Not only does this give India its first-ever VALORANT Champions representation, but it will also help develop the esports scene for the future. Having defeated Nongshim RedForce 3-2 in the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Grand Final, GE’s confidence is at an all-time high, and a strong performance here will set a new course for this team, but only time can tell how they fare.
