◆Stories of Champions Shanghai◆
Episode 1 · Sep 24

Morning After

something of Paper Rex reacts on stage VALORANT Champions Shanghai Group Stage Day 1 at Jing’an Sports Center on September 24, 2026 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Yicun Liu/Riot Games)
Photo · Yicun Liu / Riot GamesFlickr ↗
Valorant Champions[ Frag — Die ]
Episode 1 · Sep 241 / 14
Aces and a Sweep: Paper Rex and G2 open Group C

d4v41 finished Lotus with an ace for Paper Rex, and G2 swept TYLOO 13–6, 13–3 in the first Champions match a Chinese team has played at home.

10moments
5stories moved
Clip2 / 14
d4v41's ace ends it

d4v41 closes Lotus with an ace and Paper Rex open Shanghai with a win

Match point at 12–10, five Liquid players alive, and d4v41 takes all five. Paper Rex win Lotus 13–10 and the series 2–1.

TL1–2PRX
Ascent4–13▶Haven13–7▶Lotus10–13▶
vlr.gg ▸
Paper RexPaper Rex
2–1Group C · Opening · Bo3
Team LiquidTeam Liquid
Result3 / 14

Paper Rex beat Team Liquid 2-1

Ascent 13–4 to Paper Rex, Haven 13–7 to Liquid, Lotus 13–10 with d4v41 ending it on an ace. Paper Rex are 1–0 and play G2 in the Group C winners’ match on Sept 29. Liquid drop to the elimination match against TYLOO the same day.

TL1–2PRX
Ascent4–13▶Haven13–7▶Lotus10–13▶
vlr.gg ▸
G2 EsportsG2 Esports
2–0Group C · Opening · Bo3
TYLOOTYLOO
Result4 / 14

G2 Esports beat TYLOO 2–0

Lotus 13–6, Sunset 13–3. The first international match TYLOO have ever played lasted two maps. G2 are 1–0 and meet Paper Rex in the winners’ match on Sept 29; TYLOO get Liquid in the elimination match, and a loss there ends their Champions.

G22–0TYL
Lotus13–6▶Sunset13–3▶
vlr.gg ▸
Clip5 / 14
The first ace of Shanghai

something records the first ace of Champions Shanghai

Five kills in one round against Team Liquid, in the opening match of the tournament. Paper Rex had two aces in the series; d4v41’s came on match point.

TL1–2PRX
Ascent4–13▶Haven13–7▶Lotus10–13▶
vlr.gg ▸
0–1Chinese teams at home
Stat6 / 14
0–1

The first match a Chinese team has played at a home Champions ended in a loss.

TYLOO were also the first of the five debutant orgs to play. Xi Lai Gaming go next on Sept 25 against Karmine Corp; EDward Gaming and JD Gaming follow.

G22–0TYL
Lotus13–6▶Sunset13–3▶
vlr.gg ▸
Via the Editor's Desk
G2 Esports takes a bow after their victory during VALORANT Champions Shanghai Group Stage Day 1 at Jing’an Sports Center on September 24, 2026 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)
Photo · Colin Young-Wolff / Riot GamesFlickr ↗
On stage7 / 14
IT'S G2 TO OPEN

G2 after the sweep

The team that took Leviatán’s seat in the Americas points decider won its opener in two maps. Paper Rex next.

G22–0TYL
Lotus13–6▶Sunset13–3▶
vlr.gg ▸
Post8 / 14
BAB
G2 BABYBAY · @babybay
2-0 TYLOO A great start to Champions Shanghai for us. We play PRX next it’s going to be so sick playing them in front of this crowd. 加油 SHANGHAI LETS GO!
G22–0TYL
Lotus13–6▶Sunset13–3▶
vlr.gg ▸
Post9 / 14
NAT
Liquid nAts · @nAts__ss
1-2 vs @pprxteam Honestly quite a good performance for our first game especially against such an experienced team. We now have week to prepare for our next opponent. We know what to work on. Let’s take it game by game 🐼
TL1–2PRX
Ascent4–13▶Haven13–7▶Lotus10–13▶
vlr.gg ▸
Post10 / 14
SIU
TYLOO SiuFatBB · @SiuFat
Sorry...
G22–0TYL
Lotus13–6▶Sunset13–3▶
vlr.gg ▸
Fans in the audience show their support during VALORANT Champions Shanghai Group Stage Day 1 at Jing’an Sports Center on September 24, 2026 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Yicun Liu/Riot Games)
Photo · Yicun Liu / Riot GamesFlickr ↗
Next up11 / 14
Sep 25 · Group D opens

Nongshim RedForce vs NRG, then Karmine Corp vs Xi Lai Gaming

Nongshim RedForce against the champions NRG, then Karmine Corp against Xi Lai Gaming. Four teams, one group, the one nobody wanted.

NRG2–0NS
Lotus13–5Split13–10
vlr.gg ▸
?Knowledge check
Knowledge check12 / 14

Which map did Team Liquid take from Paper Rex?

Always the BridesmaidChina at HomeFirst TimersThe Leviatán-Shaped HoleNever Out of GroupsRegional King, International ChokerReverse-Sweep Scar TissueSuperteam in a SlumpThe Last SlotThe PeakThe TurnaroundTitle DefenseAmericas DominationLast HopesAlways the Bridesmaid ended hereChina at Home ended hereFirst Timers ended hereThe Leviatán-Shaped Hole ended hereNever Out of Groups ended hereRegional King, International Choker ended hereReverse-Sweep Scar Tissue ended hereSuperteam in a Slump ended hereThe Last Slot ended hereThe Peak ended hereThe Turnaround ended hereTitle Defense ended hereAmericas Domination ended hereLast Hopes ended here
Always the BridesmaidChina at HomeFirst TimersThe Leviatán-Shaped HoleNever Out of GroupsRegional King, International ChokerReverse-Sweep Scar TissueSuperteam in a SlumpThe Last SlotThe PeakThe TurnaroundTitle DefenseAmericas DominationLast HopesAlways the Bridesmaid ended hereChina at Home ended hereFirst Timers ended hereThe Leviatán-Shaped Hole ended hereNever Out of Groups ended hereRegional King, International Choker ended hereReverse-Sweep Scar Tissue ended hereSuperteam in a Slump ended hereThe Last Slot ended hereThe Peak ended hereThe Turnaround ended hereTitle Defense ended hereAmericas Domination ended hereLast Hopes ended here
Where the stories stand · after episode 113 / 14

5 stories moved.

Always the BridesmaidChina at HomeFirst TimersThe Leviatán-Shaped HoleNever Out of GroupsRegional King, International ChokerReverse-Sweep Scar TissueSuperteam in a SlumpThe Last SlotThe PeakThe TurnaroundTitle DefenseAmericas DominationLast HopesAlways the Bridesmaid ended hereChina at Home ended hereFirst Timers ended hereThe Leviatán-Shaped Hole ended hereNever Out of Groups ended hereRegional King, International Choker ended hereReverse-Sweep Scar Tissue ended hereSuperteam in a Slump ended hereThe Last Slot ended hereThe Peak ended hereThe Turnaround ended hereTitle Defense ended hereAmericas Domination ended hereLast Hopes ended here
NRGNRG
VS
Nongshim RedForceNongshim RedForce
Group D · Opening · Bo3
–days–hrs–min
Next match day14 / 14

NRG vs Nongshim RedForce. Xi Lai Gaming vs Karmine Corp.

NRG vs NS2026-09-25T09:00:00Z

Group D · Opening · Bo3

XLG vs KC2026-09-25T12:00:00Z

Group D · Opening · Bo3

Episode 1 doneSpoiler-safe share
↑ ↓ · space
Morning After · every edition

Storylines after this episode

Always the BridesmaidChina at HomeFirst TimersThe Leviatán-Shaped HoleNever Out of GroupsRegional King, International ChokerReverse-Sweep Scar TissueSuperteam in a SlumpThe Last SlotThe PeakThe TurnaroundTitle DefenseAmericas DominationLast HopesAlways the Bridesmaid ended hereChina at Home ended hereFirst Timers ended hereThe Leviatán-Shaped Hole ended hereNever Out of Groups ended hereRegional King, International Choker ended hereReverse-Sweep Scar Tissue ended hereSuperteam in a Slump ended hereThe Last Slot ended hereThe Peak ended hereThe Turnaround ended hereTitle Defense ended hereAmericas Domination ended hereLast Hopes ended here

Next match day