On September 22, 2025, the Valorant Champions 2025 group stage concluded as G2 Esports and MIBR took down T1 and Rex Regum Qeon, respectively. Now, as we know the remaining eight teams, it's time for the tournament's next stage: the playoffs.
Right after the conclusion of today's matches, Riot Games drew the games for the upcoming round. In other words, we finally know the shape of the Valorant Champions 2025 Playoffs bracket.
The Valorant Champions 2025 Playoffs bracket includes some exciting matches and storylines. It's a double-elimination bracket, which means teams will be able to lose one game, but no more: two defeats will send any team back home.
So, here's a look at the four Upper Bracket matches that will take place between September 25 and September 26:
Fnatic vs. DRX
After meeting in every Valorant Champions played since 2022, Paris couldn't be an exception and Fnatic and DRX will cross paths for the fourth time in Valorant's biggest stage.
In 2022 and 2023 both sides met in the Lower Bracket Quarterfinals while in 2024 they faced off in the group stage. Their Champions head-to-head record ahead of this match is 2-1 in favor of the South Koreans. Can they get another win against the European-majority roster or will the orange lineup stay alive in the Upper Bracket?
Paper Rex vs. G2 Esports
This could perfectly be Valorant Champions 2025's grand final. Instead, as the Americans finished in second place in Group D, both sides will meet in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. This means that one of the favorites to lift the trophy in Paris will fall to the Lower Bracket Round 1.
On paper, the Valorant Masters Toronto champions, Paper Rex, are the favorites to win the game. However, G2 Esports have proven to be one of the circuit's most consistent teams, both in the VCT 2025 Americas and at international competitions. Anything could happen.
Team Heretics vs. MIBR
Team Heretics have had a season full of ups and downs. In the VCT 2025 EMEA they managed to go unbeaten in group stage games, but Los Niños would suffer a lot in playoff games. Something similar could happen in Paris, as the Europeans beat G2 Esports and T1, but need to prove their strength in the crucial games. It's do-or-die.
Meanwhile, MIBR have nothing to lose. Not many had expected the Brazilians to survive their group, which included China's top seed, Bilibili Gaming, the Valorant Masters Toronto grand finalists, Fnatic, and Pacific's second seed, Rex Regum Qeon. Combining great momentum and low expectations from the fans is the perfect formula to create a dark horse run for the history books.
NRG vs. GIANTX
If you told a Valorant esports fan four months ago that both NRG and GIANTX would reach the Valorant Champions 2025 Playoffs they would probably tell you that you have lost it. However, it's the truth: at least one of them will finish among the world's top six sides and take USD$85,000 back home.
The European mix qualified for Champions 2025's Upper Bracket Quarterfinals after a surprising 2-1 victory over Sentinels was followed by a one-sided 2-0 win against XLG Esports. Meanwhile, NRG surprised everyone in Group C after taking down the defending champions EDward Gaming and Pacific's fourth seed DRX.
The Upper Bracket Quarterfinals of the Valorant Champions 2025 will be played between September 25 and September 26. Until then, you still have got time to fill the Valorant Champions 2025 Pick'Ems for the playoffs. For more information, check out our Pick'Ems guide here.