VALORANT Champions 2026 runs September 24 to October 18 in Shanghai with 16 qualified teams split into four GSL-style groups. All group-stage and most playoff matches are best-of-three series, shifting to best-of-five only for the lower-bracket final and grand final. Each map follows standard first-to-13 rules, entering overtime only on a 12-12 tie before continuing until a two-round lead. The large number of Bo3 series across groups and the double-elimination bracket creates dozens of maps, where even modest competitive parity between strong regional sides can push scores into overtime territory. No matches have occurred yet, so trader focus centers on historical map closeness rates at prior Champions events and the balanced 2026 field.