VALORANT Champions 2025 is right around the corner, and the full list of teams and group stage matchups have now been revealed. Following G2 Esports’ victory over NRG to close out the regional VCT season, Riot Games held the official draw to decide who faces who at the biggest VALORANT event of the year.

The tournament will take place in Paris from 12 September to 5 October, with the group stage being played at Les Arènes de Grand Paris Sud before the top four advance to the Accor Arena. Fans can already look forward to blockbuster clashes, regional rivalries, and plenty of surprises in what’s shaping up to be the most competitive Champions event yet.

Group A

• Paper Rex (Pacific #1)
• GIANTX (EMEA #2)
• Sentinels (Americas #3)
• Xi Lai Gaming (China #4)

Opening matches:

• Paper Rex vs. Xi Lai Gaming
• GIANTX vs. Sentinels

Group B

• Bilibili Gaming (China #1)
• Rex Regum Qeon (Pacific #2)
• Fnatic (EMEA #3)
• Made in Brazil (Americas #4)

Opening matches:

• Bilibili Gaming vs. MIBR
• Rex Regum Qeon vs. Fnatic

Group C

• Team Liquid (EMEA #1)
• NRG (Americas #2)
• EDward Gaming (China #3)
• DRX (Pacific #4)

Opening matches:

• Team Liquid vs. DRX
• NRG vs. EDward Gaming

Group D

• G2 Esports (Americas #1)
• Dragon Ranger Gaming (China #2)
• T1 (Pacific #3)
• Team Heretics (EMEA #4)

Opening matches:

• G2 Esports vs. Team Heretics
• Dragon Ranger Gaming vs. T1

The #VALORANTChampions Paris groups are here! pic.twitter.com/hRQcYfic6k

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 1, 2025

What’s at stake in Paris

This year’s format ensured each group only contains one team per region, with seeding playing a huge role in the opening fixtures. Stage 2 winners qualified directly, while the remaining spots went to teams with the highest Championship points.

With every region represented, from the fast-rising Chinese squads to the heavyweights of EMEA and the Americas, VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 promises a month of unforgettable matches. If there’s one group to keep an eye on, it has to be Group C, where the competition looks as fierce as the knockout rounds themselves.

The countdown is on, and from September 12 Paris will be the heart of VALORANT.

The post VALORANT Champions Paris 2025 All Teams and Groups Announced appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

RRQ’s in-game leader Ngô “crazyguy” Công Anh has won plenty of fans for his performances in the VCT Pacific: Stage 2, but his latest move might just be his most inspiring yet.

In a heartfelt Facebook post, the Vietnamese pro player announced that he’ll be donating all of his personal prize money from Stage 2 to charity.

Here’s his original message translated:

“I’ve been pushing myself for this for a long time. There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t keep going.

Honestly, I’ve received so much support from everyone throughout this season. I didn’t dare to say anything yesterday since we hadn’t achieved what we wanted yet.

I’d like to donate my entire personal share of the Stage 2 prize money (currently $25,000 for the team, with more to come if we go further) to charity.

I hope we can go even deeper in the tournament so I can contribute more.”

Not His First Time Giving Back

This isn’t the first time crazyguy has turned his winnings into something meaningful for others. Back in 2023, he donated his Ascension prize money to charity, using it to buy food and supplies for a hospital in Vietnam.

Image Credit: RRQ crazyguy on Facebook

Fans have been quick to praise his generosity, flooding his post with supportive comments. Many called it a reminder that esports can have a real-world impact far beyond the server.

RRQ’s Journey So Far

RRQ have been fighting their way through the lower bracket after a tough group stage. They’ve already taken down heavy hitters like Gen.G, DRX, and T1 to keep their Stage 2 run alive. With at least US$25,000 secured, that number could rise significantly depending on how far they go.

If RRQ manage to push past Talon Esports in the Lower Bracket Final on August 30, they’ll book a spot in the Grand Final against Paper Rex,  a series that could bump the team’s prize pool up to US$100,000.

From twelve down to three. Paper Rex, TALON, and RRQ stand as our final Stage 2 teams in Tokyo.

These 3 SEA squads will battle to earn the 2025 VCT Pacific Champion title. pic.twitter.com/9qWQqPbwwt

— VCT Pacific (@vctpacific) August 17, 2025

Regardless of the result, crazyguy’s decision to donate his share has already made this Stage 2 campaign unforgettable for fans.

The post RRQ crazyguy Donates All His VCT Pacific Stage 2 Winnings to Charity appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games has just announced a brand-new tournament for VALORANT players across the EMEA region for a prize pool of €75,000, and it’s looking like a game-changer.

Whirl your way to the top!

Discover what Project Blender is in this video. pic.twitter.com/ChSNQnotG1

— PROJECT BLENDER (@ProjectBlender_) July 31, 2025

Called Project Blender, this open-entry competition is giving players of all levels a chance to compete in a creative, layered tournament that’s shaking up the usual esports format. With phases kicking off in October and running through to December, there’s plenty of time for aspiring teams to get involved.

What’s Different About Project Blender?

Project Blender is built around accessibility. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you are a member of a professional squad, a grassroots crew, or even simply a bunch of mates who believe they have what it takes.

The format runs across four phases, starting with a massive 1024-team bracket. If you make it through that, you’ll enter into a series of round robins and elimination rounds, with the best of the best battling it out on LAN during the finals in December.

Image Credit: Project Blender

Even better? There’s a Blender Spotlight, a mixed-gender entry path that offers direct access to Phase 3. It’s a considerate step that allows more diverse teams to perform on a larger platform.

Image Credit: Project Blender

Blender Draft: Pick Carefully, Think Ahead

One of the more strategic changes is the new Blender Draft system. Here’s how it works:

• Draft 1: No restrictions; full agent pool available.
• Draft 2: Agents used in Map 1 are banned.
• Draft 3: Agents used in Map 2 only are banned.

Image Credit: Project Blender

As a result, there are asymmetrical drafts in which each team must be quick to adapt, change tactics, and dive deeply into their agent pools.

Challengers Call and the Bounty System

Riot’s also introduced the Challengers Call, letting qualified teams choose their opponents in later stages. It’s a twist that brings an extra layer of mind games to the competition.

There’s also a bounty system. Teams that manage to take down higher-tier opponents will be rewarded with bonus cash from the €75,000 prize pool. It’s a cool way to support underdog victories and add real stakes to every match.

Image Credit: Project Blender

When, Where, and Who Can Join?

Registrations open in September, and anyone playing from within EMEA, that’s Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, can enter as long as they meet the connection requirements (under 80ms ping to the Paris or Frankfurt servers).

Image Credit: Project Blender

And it’s not just players getting a look-in. Casters and broadcast talent are also being invited to apply, making Project Blender feel more like a community event than just another tournament.

Project Blender feels like a fresh take on competitive VALORANT — one that’s welcoming, rewarding, and refreshingly different. It’s not just about the pros anymore. If you’ve got the skills and a few mates ready to queue up, this could be your shot.

Project Blender is looking to be one of the most intriguing additions to VALORANT’s competitive scene this year, regardless of your goals—trying something new, pushing yourself, or making a name for yourself.

All information and updates about the tournament can be found on the Project Blender website.

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