In the first week of the Esports World Cup 2026, we see the biggest upset in the history of Valorant. 100 Thieves win the Valorant title on their debut event. They took NRG, the reigning Valorant World Champion, in a 3-1 series and, to be honest, ended a title drought that had been hanging over the org for way too long.
If you look at the NRG team, they look so strong on paper, and they have much more experience than 100 Thieves. The 100 Thieves did not play like the underdogs. They kept winning the small individual duels and those moments ended up deciding the full series.
Esports World Cup 2026 Valorant: points table and club points
| Place | Team | Prize Money (USD) | EWC Club Points |
| 1st | 100 Thieves | $600,000 | 1,000 |
| 2nd | NRG | $340,000 | 750 |
| 3rd | Nongshim RedForce | $220,000 | 500 |
| 4th | BBL Esports | $140,000 | 300 |
| 5th-8th | MIBR.LOS | $90,000 | 200 |
| 5th-8th | Team Vitality | $90,000 | 200 |
| 5th-8th | Team Heretics | $90,000 | 200 |
| 5th-8th | Gentle Mates | $90,000 | 200 |
| 9th-12th | EDward Gaming | $55,000 | – |
| 9th-12th | Karmine Corp | $55,000 | – |
| 9th-12th | G2 Esports | $55,000 | – |
| 9th-12th | All Gamers | $55,000 | – |
| 13th-16th | Rex Regum Qeon | $30,000 | – |
| 13th-16th | Paper Rex | $30,000 | – |
| 13th-16th | XLG Esports | $30,000 | – |
| 13th-16th | Global Esports | $30,000 | – |
Map 1: 100 Thieves takes control
NRG won the coin toss and picked their side first, but that early edge did not last. Once the map started, 100 Thieves settled very quickly and calmly broke down NRG’s setups one by one.
100 Thieves showed some patience and their patience paid off they got an early 3-2 lead, forcing NRG to burn timeouts just to regroup. By halftime it was not close anymore; 100 Thieves was up 9-3. Vora and Pulwer were a big reason for the lead. NRG pushes with his Hunter’s Fury. 100 Thieves closed out the map with a lead of 13-7.
Map 2: NRG’s on the backfoot
Game two moved to Sunset, and NRG tried switching up their agent picks some kind of counter. It did not work. 100T took control quickly and took a 4-1 lead and in the last map, Map 2, they closed that lead to 8-1.
100T’s post-plant setups made retakes really tough for NRG all game. Even after the NRG went on another side, it was not going good for them. 100 thieves take a lead and closed out the map.
Map 3: NRG fights back
At this point, everyone thinks it a clean sweep for NRG. but 100T lost this map very easily. NRG took the map clearly and people suddenly started thinking that they could tie this. After winning this round, the last map was the deciding one for both teams.
Map 4: What a finish
Ascent did not start well for 100T; also, NRG jumped out to a 6-0 lead and was up 9-3 by halftime. This looked like 100T might slip in this situation. But 100T found a game-changing moment. The pistol round was the main game changer in this Valorant tournament. When the second round of pistol starts in the halftime, Timothee has a standout game on jett and the team claws their way back to tie it up 10-10. NRG tried so much but in the last round, 100T got the two points, leading 12-10. 100T refused to fold; they won back-to-back rounds to force overtime, then locked in a clutch defensive round to win the map and the Valorant tournament as well.
100 Thieves get $600000 and 1000 club points for the win. NRG, despite the comeback attempt, still had a strong showing; they took $340000 and 750 points as runner-up.
It was a rollercoaster ride like a tournament we get in the first week of the Esports World Cup, and to be honest, this is one of the best Valorant grand finals i ever seen in my life.
Also Read: Why Dynamic AI NPCs Are Replacing Scripted Dialogue Trees In 2026
