Tyson “TenZ” Ngo has officially pulled back the curtain on the finalists for the TenZ VALORANT Community Awards, and the list reads like a snapshot of everything that defined the 2025 season. With players and coaches themselves deciding who makes the cut, these awards carry a kind of weight that goes beyond numbers on a broadcast or popularity on social media. It is about respect earned inside the server, and that is exactly why this reveal matters.

I’m excited to announce the finalists of the TenZ VALORANT Community Awards, starting with VCT!

Players & coaches ranked their top 5 per category using a point system. Top 3 are finalists.

Winners will be revealed during our live ceremony on February 4th, 9pm PST#TenZVALAwards pic.twitter.com/uTaRF1Ce0J

— TenZ (@TenZOfficial) January 26, 2026

After weeks of quiet build up, the confirmed finalists now set the stage for a live ceremony on February 4, shaping up to be one of the most genuinely community driven VALORANT events to date.

A Peer Voted Celebration Of Competitive Excellence

What separates the TenZ VALORANT Community Awards from most esports shows is how the winners are chosen. Players and coaches rank their top five candidates in each category, using a points based system that rewards consistent respect across the scene. Only the top three in each category advance as finalists, which gives every nomination real credibility.

VCT Finalists Reflect A Season Of Dominance

The VCT categories feel like a highlight reel from 2025. Fnatic and NRG appear across multiple roles, reflecting deep tournament runs and season long consistency. The familiar rivalry between Jake “Boaster” Howlett and Ethan “Ethan” Arnold also returns, with both once again shortlisted for IGL of the Year.

TenZ VALORANT Community Awards – VCT Finalists

Initiator Of The Year

• Austin “crashies” Roberts
• Trent “trent” Cairns
• Brock “brawk” Somerhalder

Sentinel Of The Year

• Logan “skuba” Jenkins
• Nathan “leaf” Orf
• Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder

Controller Of The Year

• Jacob “valyn” Batio
• Sam “s0m” Oh
• Kim “MaKo” Myeong Gwan

Duelist Of The Year

• Erick “aspas” Santos
• Adam “mada” Pampuch
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski

Coach Of The Year

• Milan “Milan” de Meij, Fnatic
• Alexandre “alecks” Sallé, Paper Rex
• Malkolm “bonkar” Rench, NRG

Rookie Of The Year

• Adam “mada” Pampuch
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Brock “brawk” Somerhalder

IGL Of The Year

• Jake “Boaster” Howlett
• Ethan “Ethan” Arnold
• Jacob “valyn” Batio

NRG’s strong presence across the Americas categories reflects their VALORANT Champions 2025 triumph, while Fnatic’s repeated EMEA nominations underline their ongoing grip on Europe. In the Pacific, Paper Rex once again proves its explosive style remains impossible to ignore.

Regional And Global MVP Finalists

The MVP categories highlight just how wide the talent pool has become across regions, with familiar stars and rising names all in contention.

VCT Americas MVP

• Ethan “Ethan” Arnold
• Adam “mada” Pampuc
• Erick “aspas” Santos

VCT China MVP

• Zheng “zmjjkk” Yongkang
• Teng “happywei” Min wei
• Lin “SpiritZ1” Ting yu

VCT EMEA MVP

• Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin
• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Emir Ali “Alfajer” Beder

VCT Pacific MVP

• Ngô Công “crazyguy” Anh
• Ilya “something” Petrov
• Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto

VCT Global MVP

• Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski
• Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto
• Erick “aspas” Santos

Game Changers Finalists Showcase World Class Talent

The Game Changers categories are just as stacked. Heavy representation from Team Liquid Brazil, Shopify Rebellion Gold, and MIBR mirrors the podium from the Valorant Game Changers Championship 2025, making their presence feel fully earned rather than symbolic.

TenZ VALORANT Community Awards – Game Changers Finalists

Initiator Of The Year

• Natalia “daiki” Vilela
• Sarah “sarah” Simpson
• Melissa “mel” Millena

Controller Of The Year

• Letícia “joojina” Paiva
• Melanie “meL” Capone
• Aleyna “vania” Keskin

Sentinel Of The Year

• Nicole “noia” Tierce
• Safia “safiaa” Leghzal
• Amy “amy” Lai

Duelist Of The Year

• Nicolas “srN” Niederauer
• Azra “alkyia” Erin
• Karnthida “dodonut” Chaisrakeo

Coach Of The Year

• Caio “napz” Sousa, Team Liquid Brazil
• Loic “effys” Sauvageau, Shopify Rebellion Gold
• Drew “DrewSpark” Spark Whitworth, G2 Gozen

Rookie Of The Year

• Montserrat “mmonch” Gutierre
• Esilene “akita” Xu
• Min Ju “332” Park

IGL Of The Year

• Natalia “daiki” Vilela
• Camila “Sayuri” Obam
• Melanie “meL” Capone

Game Changers MVP

• Paula “bstrdd” Naguil
• Natalia “daiki” Vilela
• Nicole “noia” Tierce

Team Liquid Brazil’s dominance is clear, with daiki earning nominations across multiple categories including MVP. Shopify Rebellion Gold also shows serious depth, placing finalists in nearly every major role.

When And Where To Watch The Ceremony

The TenZ VALORANT Community Awards will air live on February 4 at 9pm PST, streaming on TenZ’s Twitch and YouTube channels. The ceremony was originally planned for December, but the delay allowed more finalists to attend and gave organisers extra time to polish the show.

Winners will be decided using the same player and coach voting system that shaped the finalist lists, with select fan voting opening during the broadcast. It is a rare blend of professional insight and community involvement, and it fits perfectly with how VALORANT continues to evolve.

With this much elite talent packed into one night, February 4 is shaping up as a must watch moment for competitive VALORANT fans.

The post TenZ Reveals Full Finalist List For 2025 VALORANT Community Awards appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Fnatic have done it. After a long and grueling lower bracket run, the European powerhouse has locked in their first-ever spot in a VALORANT Champions Grand Final, defeating DRX 3-1 in an intense series at Champions Paris. The victory sets up a thrilling rematch against NRG for the 2025 title.

Second matchup. Same result.@FNATIC take down DRX AGAIN at #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/R894i2RUbR

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 4, 2025

The lower final was a best-of-five showdown that revisited an earlier clash between the two sides, and once again, Fnatic came out on top. The series played out on Sunset, Corrode, Haven, and Bind, with DRX taking only the opening map before Fnatic surged ahead to win three straight and close the series.

DRX Strike First on Sunset
The series began on Sunset, a map that both teams had struggled with in the past. Fnatic surprised fans by picking it, only to see DRX’s Song “HYUNMIN” Hyun-min dominate early. His explosive 4K pistol round set the tone, and DRX’s aggressive defensive holds carried them to a confident 13-8 win. HYUNMIN ended the map with 22 kills and 185 ADR, while Flashback added 20 kills of his own.

Fnatic, despite showing glimpses of life, couldn’t find their footing in mid control, and their attack plan often fell apart under DRX’s well-coordinated site pressure.

Fnatic Respond with a Stomp on Corrode
If the first map belonged to DRX, the second was a statement from Fnatic. Playing Corrode for the first time in the tournament, the EMEA squad delivered a flawless attacking half, storming to a 10-0 run and a crushing 13-3 victory. Austin “crashies” Roberts was the star, putting up 18 kills with near-perfect utility use on Fade. Chronicle wasn’t far behind, matching the pace with 18 kills of his own as DRX’s defence completely collapsed under Fnatic’s mid-control dominance.

Haven Goes the Distance
Haven proved to be the tightest contest of the series. DRX started strong, taking both pistols and building an early 5-0 lead. But Fnatic, led by Boaster’s smart adjustments, fought back to tie the half 6-6. Once again, it was crashies who made the difference, landing crucial clutches and denying DRX’s site hits.

Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski also found his rhythm on Yoru, opening up sites with fearless entries and finishing with a 1.40 rating. Despite DRX’s best efforts to stay in the fight, Fnatic closed out the map 13-11 with a decisive hit on C site.

Bind: The Finishing Blow
By the time the series reached Bind, Fnatic were in full control. Their creative setups and well-timed utility smothered DRX, who managed to win just two rounds on defence, both courtesy of more heroics from HYUNMIN. Chronicle and kaajak each picked up 17 kills, while crashies continued his standout series, finishing with a total of 65 kills across the match.

Fnatic’s clean 13-4 win sealed the 3-1 victory and punched their ticket to the Grand Final.

All Eyes on the Grand Final
DRX bow out in third place, a strong showing for the Pacific fourth seed despite falling short of their first international trophy. For Fnatic, the win marks a historic milestone. The kings of EMEA now advance to face NRG, who previously swept them 2-0 in the upper final.

Speaking after the match, Chronicle reflected on their resilience: “Fnatic always come back. I hope NRG won’t forget that tomorrow.” Boaster followed up with his signature energy, adding, “NRG, we’re coming for you. When you’re in bed having nightmares about us, you know we’ll be ready.”

🥶 pic.twitter.com/MI3RzQzIfK

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 4, 2025

The VALORANT Champions 2025 Grand Final kicks off tomorrow at 11 AM BST, where Fnatic will try to claim their first Champions trophy and avenge their earlier loss to NRG. Fans can watch the showdown live on the official VCT Twitch and YouTube channels.

The post Fnatic Crush DRX 3-1 to Reach VALORANT Champions 2025 Grand Final appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

DRX has knocked out Paper Rex from VALORANT Champions 2025 after a dominant 2-0 win, booking their place in the Lower Bracket Final against Fnatic. The victory means the Korean side keeps their championship hopes alive while the Masters Toronto champions head home in fourth place.

ANOTHER #1 SEED TAKEN DOWN!@DRX_VALORANT advances to the Lower Final of #VALORANTChampions! pic.twitter.com/jyRSBCSBSj

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 3, 2025

This latest clash between two Pacific heavyweights was a true classic. It marked the 17th time DRX and Paper Rex have met, but their first ever encounter on the Champions stage. Paper Rex came in as clear favourites after a season filled with silverware, yet DRX arrived well-prepared and confident in their game plan.

The match began on DRX’s pick, Ascent. Paper Rex started strong, taking an 8-1 lead behind Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie’s lights-out performance on Sage. He finished the half with 20 kills and only five deaths as DRX trailed 9-3 at the break. Despite the deficit, DRX refused to back down.

Song “HYUNMIN” Hyun-min led the charge in the second half, tearing through Paper Rex’s defence with aggressive mid-control and confident first duels. His precision completely shifted the momentum. Although PRX reached map point first, DRX forced overtime and held firm to close out Ascent 15-13. HYUNMIN finished with an incredible 36/19/1 KDA, eight first kills, and an average damage per round (ADR) of 220, topping even Jinggg’s impressive stats.

“I just had to put confidence into my team and for myself, so I just started peeking everything,” HYUNMIN said in the post-match interview, smiling about his fearless play.

Next up was Paper Rex’s map pick, Lotus. DRX adapted instantly, swapping HYUNMIN’s Waylay for Raze and matching PRX’s Raze-Yoru composition. The change worked perfectly. DRX claimed the first pistol round thanks to a 3K from HYUNMIN and traded rounds evenly through the first half before edging ahead 7-5.

The second half saw DRX completely take control. A clean pistol and bonus round win pushed them to an 11-5 lead. While Paper Rex fought back with a few strong A-site hits and a clutch Showstopper from Jinggg, DRX proved too solid to break. They closed out Lotus 13-8, with MaKo standing tall on Omen at 17/8/14 and HYUNMIN adding another 19 kills to cap off his monster series.

Across both maps, HYUNMIN ended with a staggering 55/32/4 KDA and 200 ADR, cementing himself as one of the standout players of the tournament.

With this win, DRX have matched their best-ever international finish from Champions 2022 and are now one step away from the grand final. Their next challenge will be against Fnatic, who dropped to the lower bracket after a 2-0 defeat to NRG earlier in the day. The winner will advance to face NRG, who remain undefeated so far in Paris.

One team has secured their spot in the Grand Finals.

See the updated #VALORANTChampions bracket. 👇 pic.twitter.com/FhKcYs4h18

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 3, 2025

Fans can catch the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final of VALORANT Champions 2025 live on the official VALORANT Champions Tour YouTube and Twitch channels.

The post DRX Eliminates Paper Rex, Sets Up VALORANT Champions 2025 Lower Final Against Fnatic appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NRG have done it. The underdogs from the Americas region have stormed their way into the VALORANT Champions 2025 grand final after a dominant 2-0 sweep over Fnatic in Paris. It marks NRG’s first-ever international grand final appearance and a defining moment for the team’s young roster.

FLAWLESS TO GRAND FINALS!@NRGgg take the win over FNATIC and secure their spot. #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/UqGAVF3ipe

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 3, 2025

The upper bracket final began on Ascent, Fnatic’s map pick, and it was clear from the start that NRG came prepared. Running a double-Initiator setup with Sova and KAY/O, the team took early control with mada and s0m leading the charge. Fnatic, meanwhile, leaned on their signature double-Sentinel composition with Alfajer returning to Sage after recovering from illness.

While Fnatic nearly snatched the opening pistol round thanks to a 1v3 attempt by Boaster, NRG held strong and quickly built momentum. A well-timed timeout and some aggressive plays from mada, including brawk’s clever use of the Odin, helped NRG secure an 8-4 half-time lead.

Fnatic fought back on defence, with Alfajer and kaajak stepping up to tie things at 11-11 and push the game into overtime. But it was NRG who held their nerve. Two quick rounds from mada sealed a 14-12 victory on map one, giving the North American squad the early advantage.

On Abyss, NRG’s pick, things quickly spiralled out of control for Fnatic. The team’s unconventional composition featuring Yoru and Harbor caught Fnatic completely off-guard. Skuba opened the map with a massive 4k in the pistol round, setting the tone for what would become a brutal one-sided affair.

THE ROOKIE WITH THE CLUTCH 1v2! @skubacs #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/yJz8MwG5L0

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) October 3, 2025

By the half, NRG led 11-1. Fnatic’s usual stars, kaajak, Alfajer, and Chronicle, were nowhere to be found, struggling to break through NRG’s confidence-fuelled aggression. Skuba finished the first half with 15 kills, while s0m sat comfortably behind him with 13. Even a pistol round win in the second half couldn’t save Fnatic from the inevitable, as NRG closed out Abyss 13-5 to win the series 2-0.

Skuba was the undisputed series MVP, ending with a 1.31 rating, 39 kills, +17 K/D differential, and 151 ADR, a monster performance on the biggest stage of his career so far.

With the win, NRG have secured their spot in Sunday’s VALORANT Champions 2025 grand final, capping off an incredible Cinderella run for a roster once dismissed as “rookies and rejects.” As for Fnatic, their journey isn’t over yet. The EMEA giants drop to the lower bracket final, where they’ll face DRX for one last shot at redemption and a chance to meet NRG again for the title.

The post NRG Crush Fnatic to Reach VALORANT Champions 2025 Grand Final appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Fnatic fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief — Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder is back. The Turkish star has been cleared to compete again after a short break due to health issues, and will return to the roster just in time for Fnatic’s VCT Champions Paris 2025 clash against NRG this Friday.

The final boss returns 👑

Thrilled to announce @Alfajervl’s all cleared and healthy, and will be rejoining us vs @NRGgg this Friday!

We’ll also be keeping @domaVALORANT in Paris for finals weekend for the extra buff. pic.twitter.com/OR5b91R3Zw

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) October 1, 2025

The organisation announced the news on X, calling Alfajer “the final boss” as they prepare for what could be their biggest weekend of the year. To be safe, Fnatic confirmed that Domagoj “Doma” Fancev will also remain with the team in Paris throughout finals weekend.

Doma, who last played for Fnatic in 2021, stepped in on just 16 hours’ notice earlier in the tournament when Alfajer was forced to sit out against Paper Rex due to health concerns. Despite the last-minute call-up, he helped the squad secure a crucial upset win. You can read more about that dramatic substitution in our earlier coverage: Fnatic’s Alfajer Misses VCT 2025 Clash with Paper Rex, Doma Steps In.

“Four hours of sleep straight from the airport to venue and we won. GG,” Doma joked after the victory.

Fnatic’s Paris momentum

Fnatic have looked unstoppable so far in Paris. The squad topped their group in the opening stage before moving through to the Playoffs, where they defeated DRX 2-1 in the Upper Bracket Quarter-finals.

The real shock came in the Upper Bracket Semi-Finals when Fnatic handed Paper Rex a surprise defeat. After losing the first map, Bind, it looked like the favourites had things under control. But Fnatic fought back on Haven and Lotus to complete a dramatic comeback, knocking one of the strongest teams in the tournament down to the Lower Bracket.

With Alfajer back in the lineup, Fnatic will now face NRG in the Upper Bracket Final on October 3. A win would make them the first team to lock in a place at the Grand Final and put them one step closer to claiming the lion’s share of the $1 million prize pool.

A wild VCT Champions so far

The 2025 edition of VCT Champions has been full of twists and upsets. Team Liquid were shockingly eliminated during groups, while G2 Esports managed to fight their way through to the Playoffs.

In the early knockout rounds, Paper Rex dispatched G2, NRG beat GIANTX, and MIBR sent Team Heretics packing. The Lower Bracket has been brutal too, with G2, GIANTX, MIBR, and Heretics all eliminated. That leaves DRX and Paper Rex battling it out in the Lower Bracket Semi-Finals for one last shot at making the Finals.

Fnatic, however, are firmly in control of their own destiny. With Alfajer cleared and their momentum at full speed, the London-based organisation could be about to pull off one of the most dominant Championship runs in VALORANT history.

The post Fnatic’s Alfajer Returns for VCT Champions Paris 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

In a tense regional showdown at Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris, NRG and MIBR went head-to-head in a three-map series that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Only one team could advance to the upper bracket finals, and NRG narrowly came out on top, setting up a clash with FNATIC.

THEY STAY UNDEFEATED@NRGgg continues their win streak and secure a spot in the Upper Final at #VALORANTChampions playoffs! pic.twitter.com/WRuiLuAE5O

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 28, 2025

Abyss: Overtime Drama and Heroics

The series opened on Abyss, with NRG returning to their Harbour composition while MIBR ran a double-Duelist setup. NRG won the opening pistol and bonus rounds thanks to aggressive plays from s0m, but MIBR fought back, led by cortezia on a key B-site hold. The half ended tied 6-6, with a lighter moment as mada fell off the map during a missed Yoru teleport.

The second half saw Ethan and brawk shine, bringing the map into overtime. Mada eventually sealed Abyss 16-14 for NRG, giving them the early series advantage.

Haven: MIBR Strikes Back

On Haven, both teams ran solo Neon alongside double-Controller setups. MIBR dominated early, taking a near-perfect 10-2 lead, and kept control to finish the map 13-4, forcing the series decider on Corrode.

Corrode: NRG Prevails in Another Nail-Biter

The final map saw mirrored compositions with Waylay and double-Controller in play. MIBR’s aspas dominated early, threatening the best-of-three kill record, while NRG gradually fought back through smart team play and clutch rounds.

Overtime was inevitable. NRG’s mada made crucial early entries, and s0m’s remarkable 1v2 clutch finally pushed NRG ahead. They closed the map 16-14, winning the series and advancing to the upper finals.

Standout Performances

Despite the loss, aspas from MIBR stole the spotlight, breaking the international best-of-three kill record with 80 kills, a 1.37 player rating, 272 ACS, and 15 first kills.

HE DOES IT AGAIN!@aspaszin breaks his own Global Stage kill record! pic.twitter.com/bNLGUKRfbN

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 28, 2025

NRG’s consistency and clutch play proved the difference, setting up a high-stakes showdown with FNATIC in the upper bracket finals. MIBR will have to battle through the lower bracket, starting against DRX.

The post NRG Edges Out MIBR in Thrilling Valorant Champions 2025 Semifinal, Set to Face FNATIC appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Day two of the VALORANT Champions 2025 Paris playoffs delivered fireworks as MIBR and NRG swept through their opponents in convincing fashion. Both Americas sides silenced their doubters with statement 2-0 victories, sending Team Heretics and GIANTX tumbling down to the lower bracket.

MIBR settles the score with Team Heretics

MIBR’s matchup against Team Heretics had been building all year, with plenty of words traded but no actual clash until now. On the Champions stage, the Brazilians showed no hesitation, powering to a 2-0 win.

The series kicked off on Corrode, a map MIBR had already dominated in groups. Exploiting gaps in Heretics’ defence, they quickly jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Heretics clawed their way back, even forcing overtime thanks to MiniBoo’s heroics, but MIBR stayed composed. Strong utility from artzin on KAY/O and crucial clutch plays carried them through to a 14-12 overtime win.

On Sunset, MIBR looked even sharper. aspas’ Operator was unstoppable, racking up 10 kills on defence, including three separate collateral shots. Heretics were constantly forced into man-down situations, ending the half 9-3 behind. Any hope of a comeback was short-lived as MIBR closed it out 13-6, with aspas and cortezia leading the way on the scoreboard.

Reflecting on the team’s rise, IGL Andrew “Verno” Maust said: “We just learned how to play each map in our style. We’re all comfortable with how we play together, so it just makes the game really simple.”

NRG crushes GIANTX in record-breaking fashion

If MIBR’s win was impressive, NRG’s performance against GIANTX was downright ruthless. The North American squad dismantled GX with a historic margin, dropping just seven rounds across both maps.

On Haven, GIANTX’s map pick, NRG stunned everyone with a 13-1 thrashing. Led by mada’s Neon and brawk’s Sova, they planted the spike in every single attacking round of the half, leaving GX with no answers. brawk ended the map with an astonishing 18/1 scoreline, his only death coming in the bonus round.

Lotus didn’t go much better for GX. While they managed to take the pistol and tie things up early, NRG’s map control and disciplined team play shut them down. brawk’s Odin locked off crucial angles, while mada and s0m piled on the kills. NRG rolled to a 13-6 win, sealing the 2-0 sweep.

The dominant showing also set a new record for the largest margin of victory in a Champions playoffs best-of-three, underlining just how dangerous NRG look heading into the next stage.

What’s next

The results set up a blockbuster upper bracket semifinal between MIBR and NRG, a clash that promises fireworks given both squads’ current form.

Meanwhile, Heretics and GIANTX now face do-or-die matches in the lower bracket. Heretics will take on GIANTX in an all-EMEA showdown, while DRX square off against G2 Esports. At least one European team will be eliminated from the tournament after tomorrow.

VALORANT Champions Paris continues with more high-stakes action, and fans can catch the matches live on the VCT’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.

The post MIBR and NRG Dominate at VALORANT Champions Paris, Send Heretics and GIANTX to Lower Bracket appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The stage is set for the Valorant Champions 2025 Playoffs in Paris, with Riot Games revealing a bracket that promises nothing but blockbuster clashes. With the group stage officially wrapped, the eight remaining teams now know their path to the title.

For Americas fans, the good news is that both G2 Esports and Made in Brazil (MIBR) secured the last two spots, joining the likes of Fnatic, DRX, Paper Rex, and NRG in the knockout rounds. Their qualification means we’ll be crowning a brand-new champion this year after EDward Gaming’s early exit.

Stacked Bracket Draw

The on-stage draw confirmed that no team will face another from the same region in the opening round, ensuring fans get a full mix of international battles right from the start.

Here’s how the first round looks:

• Fnatic vs DRX
• Paper Rex vs G2 Esports
• Team Heretics vs MIBR
• NRG vs GIANTX

One side of the bracket looks especially fierce, with Fnatic, DRX, Paper Rex, and G2 all crammed together. Only one of these heavyweights will make it into the Upper Bracket Final, raising the stakes from the very first match.

The #VALORANTChampions schedules when we return for playoffs on September 25! pic.twitter.com/3YlNFbn3HM

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 22, 2025

On the opposite side, it’s Americas versus EMEA. NRG go up against GIANTX in a North America versus Europe showdown, while MIBR clash with Team Heretics in what could be one of the spiciest matches of the round. Tensions are already simmering after Heretics players cheekily branded MIBR star Erick “Aspas” Santos the most overrated player in a recent content piece.

Paris Takes the Spotlight

The Playoffs begin on 25 September at the Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud, before Finals Weekend heads to the 20,300-seat Accor Arena. Riot is expected to confirm the full match schedule in the coming days.

With such a loaded bracket and plenty of regional pride on the line, the Valorant Champions 2025 Playoffs are shaping up to deliver some of the most exciting matches in VCT history.

The post Valorant Champions 2025 Playoffs Bracket Revealed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NRG have cemented themselves as Rocket League’s best after taking down Team Falcons 4-1 to win the RLCS World Championship 2025 inside the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France.

The North American side lifted the trophy in front of nearly 10,000 fans, securing $300,000 in prize money and writing themselves into Rocket League history as one of only three organisations to ever win two world titles.

NRG’s Road to Glory

NRG arrived in Lyon as the top North American seed and quickly showed why they were considered favourites. They opened with a nail-biting 3-2 win over Ninjas in Pyjamas, followed by a 3-1 victory against Team Secret to book their playoff spot.

In the upper bracket quarter-final, the all-American clash against The Ultimates went down to the wire, but NRG edged it 4-3 to advance. Their semi-final was far more straightforward, cruising past Geekay Esports 4-0 to set up a blockbuster Grand Final against Team Falcons, who had been the top-performing LAN team of the year.

Game one went NRG’s way with a hard-fought 3-2 win, but Falcons immediately struck back with a 1-0 victory in game two. From there, though, NRG turned on the style, rattling off three straight wins to close out the series 4-1 and claim the championship.

MVP Performances and Redemption Stories

Landon “BeastMode” Konerman was named RLCS 2025 Season MVP, while teammate Daniel “Daniel” Piecenski earned North America’s RLCS MVP award. For both Daniel and BeastMode, this was their first ever world title, a career-defining achievement that instantly puts them among Rocket League’s elite.

For Massimo “Atomic” Franceschi, the win carried even more weight. After falling short at two previous World Championships, he finally got to lift the trophy, completing NRG’s redemption arc.

Record-Breaking French Finale

The World Championship capped off an incredible fortnight for esports in France, coming right after the Fortnite Global Championships. With fans from more than 26 countries in attendance, the event delivered a massive $50 million economic boost to the city of Lyon.

The LDLC Arena crowd provided an electric atmosphere that underscored France’s growing reputation as a hub for global esports.

What’s Next for Rocket League Esports

The Rocket League Championship Series isn’t slowing down. Paris La Défense Arena, Europe’s largest indoor venue with a 25,000 capacity, has been confirmed as the host of RLCS Major 2 from May 20–24, 2026. It will be the biggest Rocket League event venue in history, marking another step forward for the esport.

Before then, the 2026 season will kick off this November with online Opens, followed by a new Kick-Off LAN in Copenhagen this December. The first Major of the year will take place in North America, with further details on the next World Championship still to come.

Fans also won’t have to wait long for new content in-game. Rocket League Season 20 launches on September 17, bringing fresh updates and rewards.

NRG Make History

NRG’s triumph in Lyon isn’t just another tournament win. It’s the organisation’s second world title after their Season 8 triumph in 2019, and a confirmation of their place among Rocket League’s greatest teams.

For Atomic, BeastMode, and Daniel, this championship will be remembered as the moment they etched their names into Rocket League history.

The post NRG Crowned Rocket League World Champions 2025 in Lyon appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games has rolled out its first ever VALORANT Global Power Rankings (GPR), giving fans a data-driven look at which teams stand tall ahead of Champions 2025 in Paris. Powered by Amazon Web Services, the rankings are designed to finally settle one of the scene’s biggest debates: who really is the best in the world?

For now, the answer is clear. G2 Esports sit at the top of the inaugural list with a power score of 1521, edging out Singapore’s Paper Rex (1514) and Indonesia’s RRQ (1486). It’s yet another highlight in a dominant year for G2, who recently claimed the VCT Americas Stage 2 title after sweeping NRG.

How the Global Power Rankings Work

The GPR takes inspiration from Elo rating systems, blending two main elements: a team’s individual Elo and their league’s overall Elo strength. Riot settled on an 80/20 weighting between the two, which they say produced the most accurate predictions during testing.

This means that results are not just about wins and losses, but also about the context of those wins. Beating a higher-ranked team gives a big boost, while losing to a lower-ranked side can drag a team down. The system also places heavier importance on recent results, international events like Masters and Champions, and playoff matches compared to regular season games.

Other tweaks include factoring in round score (a 13-0 stomp is worth more than a close 13-11), attack vs defence performance, and eco/buy round outcomes. Still, match results remain the single biggest influence.

The model is updated daily, so expect shifts throughout Champions 2025 as upsets play out. Riot has also hinted at future upgrades in 2026, including deeper eco-round tracking, player-specific rankings, and dynamic scoring based on a team’s tournament stakes.

The Top 10 Teams Going Into Champions

Here’s how the GPR top 10 looks heading into Paris:

1. G2 Esports (VCT Americas) – 1521
2. Paper Rex (VCT Pacific) – 1514
3. RRQ (VCT Pacific) – 1486
4. Bilibili Gaming (VCT China) – 1467
5. NRG (VCT Americas) – 1437
6. Team Liquid (VCT EMEA) – 1436
7. FNATIC (VCT EMEA) – 1427
8. T1 (VCT Pacific) – 1421
9. Dragon Ranger Gaming (VCT China) – 1416
10. Sentinels (VCT Americas) – 1412

You can check out the full Global Power Rankings here.

At the other end of the spectrum, Brazil’s MIBR sit 27th out of the teams heading to Champions, while fellow Brazilian side FURIA rank dead last overall at 48th with a score of 1172.

Why It Matters

For fans, the Global Power Rankings add another layer of hype to Champions. Think of it as a snapshot of form heading into the biggest event of the year. If the GPR is accurate, we’ll see a tournament go as expected. But if it starts breaking down, that means upsets are happening, which is exactly what makes VALORANT so unpredictable.

Whether G2 can maintain their number one spot on stage is the big question. With the field stacked and the rankings updating daily, the storylines in Paris are set to be even spicier.

The post VALORANT Release Global Power Rankings with G2 Esports on Top appeared first on Shane the Gamer.