The 2026 VCT season has its champion: LOUD took the Champions Shanghai title on October 18 with a 3-1 win over Team Vitality in the grand final. The tournament ran from September 24 to October 18 and ended with one of the most talked-about results of the Valorant esports year.
A revenge run to the final
LOUD’s road to the title went through Vitality twice. Two days before the decider, on October 16, LOUD beat the European side 2-1 to secure their spot in the grand final. Vitality did not go away, though. They dropped into the lower bracket, beat 100 Thieves 3-1 on October 17 and earned a rematch for the trophy.
The rematch belonged to LOUD. Taking the series 3-1, the team closed out the championship without letting Vitality turn the final into the same kind of thriller that decided the first meeting. For a roster that had to prove itself against Europe’s best, a convincing series in front of the biggest stage of the season is a strong statement.
Roster news arrives immediately
The celebrations were short-lived at the roster level. On October 22, reports emerged that balax is leaving LOUD, only days after he contributed to the title run. That fits the pattern of the Valorant offseason: with the 2027 partner teams for the Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China now confirmed, organizations are reshaping their line-ups early. VCT EMEA has also announced its Kickoff Qualifiers for Europe, Türkiye and MENA, so the new season’s first competitive window is already taking shape.
What it means for bettors
For anyone following Valorant markets, a champion that loses a player right after winning is a reminder of how quickly form and odds can shift between seasons. Pre-season lines tend to lean on last year’s results, and roster changes are exactly where bettors can find or lose value. If you want to compare markets, our overview of esports bookmakers is a good starting point, and always check the terms of any promotion before you claim it.
Keep an eye on the final roster announcements over the coming weeks. Once the Kickoff events begin, we will see whether LOUD can defend their status with a new line-up or whether Vitality and the other top European teams take the initiative.
Please bet responsibly and only if you are of legal age in your jurisdiction.
Related:
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
