The wait is finally over. The VALORANT Champions 2025 groups are confirmed, and the stage is set for Paris to host the world’s biggest VALORANT showdown. Sixteen elite teams will fight for the crown, but one question is already buzzing in the community: is Group D the deadliest of them all?
VALORANT Champions 2025: Dates and Format
The tournament begins at Les Arènes in Paris from September 12 to 22 with the group stage. Only the top two teams from each group will advance, while the rest will head home early. The playoffs will then run from September 25 to October 5, where the best of the best will battle it out for the title.
On top of glory, there’s also a $2,225,000 prize pool waiting to be claimed, making this event one of the most competitive tournaments in VALORANT history.
Full Group Draw and Opening Matches
Here are the groups and their first matchups:
Group A
- Paper Rex (#1 Pacific) vs. Xi Lai Gaming (#4 China)
- GIANTX (#2 EMEA) vs. Sentinels (#3 Americas)
Group B
- Bilibili Gaming (#1 China) vs. MIBR (#4 Americas)
- Rex Regum Qeon (#2 Pacific) vs. Fnatic (#3 Americas)
Group C
- Team Liquid (#1 EMEA) vs. DRX (#4 Pacific)
- NRG (#2 Americas) vs. EDward Gaming (#3 China)
Group D
- G2 Esports (#1 Americas) vs. Team Heretics (#4 EMEA)
- Dragon Ranger Gaming (#2 China) vs. T1 (#3 Pacific)
Why Group D Stands Out
Every group is tough at this level, but Group D looks stacked beyond belief. Let’s break it down:
- G2 Esports have been unstoppable in the Americas region, winning VCT Kickoff, Stage 1, and Stage 2, plus strong finishes at both Masters events. They look like the team to beat.
- Team Heretics might be seeded #4 from Europe, but they’re fresh off winning the Esports World Cup, proving they can perform on the biggest stage.
- T1, the Masters Bangkok champions, are dangerous. A few close rounds at Pacific Stage 2 kept them from an even higher seed.
- Dragon Ranger Gaming may be China’s #2 seed, but they shocked the world by beating giants like EDward Gaming and XLG in Stage 2 before falling just short in the grand final.
When you put all four together, it’s easy to see why fans are calling this the Group of Death. Every team here has the potential to reach the top four in Paris.
What to Expect
The opening match between G2 Esports and Team Heretics could feel like a playoff final already. Meanwhile, T1 vs. Dragon Ranger Gaming is another explosive battle, with both sides capable of an upset.
With so much firepower in one group, even a single map win or loss could decide who advances. Fans should expect tight matches, clutch plays, and plenty of drama.
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