Game Changers Championship 2026 Brings Ten Teams to São Paulo
GAME MODE Staff·Oct 17, 2026· 2m read
The last standalone Game Changers Championship runs October 22 to November 1 at Riot Games Arena São Paulo.
Ten teams, a title defense and a format on its way out. The Valorant Game Changers Championship 2026 runs from October 22 to November 1 at Riot Games Arena São Paulo, and Riot describes it as the final standalone Game Changers Championship.
Team Liquid Visa defend the title
Team Liquid Visa arrive as the defending champions. They beat Shopify Rebellion Gold 3-2 in last year’s final, which stopped Shopify Rebellion Gold from winning a third straight title. Here’s the full field:
- Team Liquid Visa
- Shopify Rebellion Gold
- G2 Gozen
- Gentle Mates GC
- SK Nebula
- KRÜ Blaze
- Gen.G GC
- FENNEL GC
- MiBR
- Nova Esports GC
How the bracket works
The event uses a double-elimination bracket, so losing a series in the upper bracket sends a team to the lower bracket rather than home. The series also get longer when it matters most.
| Stage | Series length |
|---|---|
| Early rounds | Best of three |
| Lower bracket final | Best of five |
| Grand final | Best of five |
Finals weekend runs from October 30 to November 1, with a fan fest at Community Creators Academy over the same three days. If you’re in São Paulo, that’s the weekend to circle.
The last of its kind
The timing gives Game Changers its own spotlight right after Champions Shanghai ends on October 18.
It’s also a farewell to the standalone format. From 2027, the circuit’s finale moves to Champions, where it will be played in front of the biggest VCT audience of the season.
