The long wait is finally over, and Valorant’s biggest stage of the year is all set to kick off in Shanghai, China, marking the first time the country has ever hosted a Champions event.
Valorant Champions 2026 will see 16 of the world’s best teams across the Americas, EMEA, China, and Pacific leagues battle it out for their share of the $2,250,000 USD prize pool and the title of World Champion on the line.
The tournament is scheduled to open with its Group Stage on September 24, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about the Day 1 lineup, match timings across regions, and how to tune in.
Valorant Champions 2026 Day 1 Games Schedule
Day 1 action gets underway at the Jing’an Sports Center in Shanghai with two Group Stage openers, both played in a best-of-three format:
- Team Liquid vs. Paper Rex: 9:00 AM UTC / 5:00 AM ET / 2:00 AM PT / 2:30 PM IST / 5:00 PM local (China Standard Time)
- TYLOO vs. G2 Esports: 12:00 PM UTC / 8:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM PT / 5:30 PM IST / 8:00 PM local (China Standard Time)
Since only the top two sides from each four-team group progress to the Playoffs, these first matches carry a lot of weight right from the opening round, with no team wanting to start their journey with a 0-1 record.
Where to Watch Valorant Champions 2026
Players can watch all games of Valorant Champions 2026 live by tuning into the official streams of the event on Twitch or YouTube, alongside several English and regional co-streamers across multiple platforms.
With the Group Stage running through October 4 before the Playoffs take over, Day 1 is just the first chapter of a three-week battle for the trophy, so be sure to get your snacks ready and settle in for the opening games later today.
If you haven’t decided on your Pick’Ems yet, now would be a great time to do so, as the picks are expected to lock in before the games kick off. You can go through our detailed Champions 2026 Pick’Ems guide if you’re struggling to make your choices.
