The electrifying conclusion to the Valorant segment of the Esports World Cup (EWC) has officially arrived, with North American powerhouse 100 Thieves hoisting the coveted trophy and securing a monumental $600,000 prize. This year’s tournament, held in the vibrant city of Paris, France, marked a significant shift for the burgeoning Esports World Cup, now in its third iteration since its inception in 2024. The event, which features a diverse array of 24 esports titles, moved from its previous location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to the heart of Europe, promising an even broader international appeal and a heightened level of competition across various gaming genres, from Fighting Game Community (FGC) titles to MOBAs, sports games, and the ever-popular first-person shooters (FPS) like Valorant.
The Valorant competition, a major highlight of the EWC’s opening week, drew sixteen of the world’s elite teams to the French capital. This gathering followed closely on the heels of the intensely contested London Masters Finals, where Leviathan emerged victorious, setting a high bar for the caliber of play expected in Paris. The stakes were undeniably elevated, with last year’s EWC champions, Team Heretics, aiming to defend their title and etch their names into esports history once more.
A Thrilling Upset and a Roaring Home Crowd: The Quarter-Finals Unfold
The path to the championship was paved with dramatic upsets and nail-biting encounters, particularly in the quarter-final stage. Defending champions Team Heretics, despite enjoying considerable support from the Parisian crowd, were ultimately felled in a gripping three-game series against Turkey’s BBL Esports. The series began with Heretics securing a hard-fought 16-14 victory in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. However, BBL Esports responded with decisive dominance in the second game, crushing Heretics with a resounding 13-2 scoreline. The Turkish squad then carried this momentum into the decisive third map, clinching a 13-10 win. This victory, sealed by securing four crucial rounds at the end of the game, marked a significant upset and sent the crowd favorites packing.
The hopes of a French champion on home soil were further tested in the subsequent quarter-final, where the local favorites, Gentle Mates, faced off against North America’s NRG. Despite fervent encouragement from "The Gentle Suits," Gentle Mates were unable to capitalize on an early series lead. NRG staged a remarkable comeback, securing victory with consecutive 13-9 and 13-10 wins, thereby ending Gentle Mates’ championship aspirations. Both Gentle Mates and NRG, having been eliminated in the quarter-finals, concluded their EWC campaigns with a shared 5th-8th place finish, each earning $90,000 in prize money. This outcome ensured that a new team would be crowned the Valorant EWC champions for the year.
Another significant quarter-final clash saw France’s Team Vitality eliminated by South Korea’s NS RedForce. While Vitality put up a strong fight in the opening map, NS RedForce asserted their superiority in the subsequent games, securing dominant victories with scores of 13-7 and 13-2. This performance underscored the growing international strength in the Valorant esports scene and highlighted the tactical prowess of the South Korean team.
100 Thieves Ascend to Glory in an All-American Final
The grand finals pitted 100 Thieves against their North American rivals, NRG. 100 Thieves had earned their spot in the final by defeating NS RedForce in a decisive match, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated showdown between two of the strongest teams from the VCT Americas league. The final series, however, proved to be a more one-sided affair than many predicted. 100 Thieves established a commanding 2-0 lead, demonstrating exceptional coordination and strategic execution.
NRG, showing resilience and refusing to concede defeat, managed to claw back a dominant 13-2 victory on Haven, injecting a dose of tension into the series. Nevertheless, 100 Thieves ultimately closed out the match with a thrilling 14-12 win on Ascent, securing the overall series victory 3-1. The decisive performance was capped off by Matthew "Cryocells" Panganiban, who was deservedly awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors for his exceptional play throughout the tournament. His clutch performances and consistent impact were instrumental in leading 100 Thieves to their maiden EWC title.
Prize Pool Distribution and EWC Significance
The total prize pool for the Valorant EWC tournament saw a substantial distribution among the top-performing teams. The champions, 100 Thieves, claimed the lion’s share with $600,000. NRG, as the runner-up, secured $340,000, while NS RedForce finished in third place, earning $220,000. BBL Esports rounded out the top four, taking home $140,000. The teams finishing in the 5th-8th positions, including MIBR, Team Vitality, Gentle Mates, and Team Heretics, each received $90,000.
The Esports World Cup, in its current iteration, represents a significant step forward in global esports event management. By bringing together a vast array of titles under one umbrella event and rotating its location annually, the EWC aims to foster a more inclusive and accessible competitive landscape. The shift to Paris for this year’s event underscores the organizers’ commitment to reaching new audiences and providing a platform for diverse esports communities to shine. The inclusion of Valorant, a title with a massive and dedicated global fanbase, proved to be a key driver of viewership and engagement for the opening week of the EWC.
Viewing the Esports World Cup: Accessibility and Reach
Fans eager to follow the Esports World Cup action, including the Valorant matches, had ample opportunities to do so. The tournament was broadcast live across major streaming platforms, including Twitch and YouTube. To accommodate the multiple concurrent Valorant matches, dedicated streams were available, ensuring that viewers could stay up-to-date with all the unfolding drama without missing a moment of the action. This multi-platform approach democratized access to the highest level of esports competition, allowing a global audience to witness the skill and dedication of the professional players.
Valorant EWC 2026: A Look Back at the Schedule and Results
The Valorant portion of the Esports World Cup commenced on July 2nd with the group stage, where the top two teams from each of the four groups advanced to the knockout stage. The tournament culminated on July 12th, following a series of intense matches that captivated audiences worldwide.
The schedule and results played out as follows:
- Group Stage: July 2nd – July 5th. Teams battled in round-robin groups to secure their spots in the playoffs.
- Quarter-Finals: July 9th – July 10th. The top teams from the group stage clashed in high-stakes elimination matches. Notable results included BBL Esports defeating Team Heretics, NRG overcoming Gentle Mates, and NS RedForce eliminating Team Vitality.
- Semi-Finals: July 11th. The remaining four teams fought for a place in the grand finals.
- Grand Finals: July 12th. 100 Thieves faced NRG in the ultimate showdown, with 100 Thieves emerging victorious.
A Global Gathering of Talent: Valorant EWC Teams and Rosters
The Esports World Cup in Paris brought together a formidable lineup of sixteen of the world’s premier Valorant teams. The roster featured a mix of established powerhouses and rising contenders, each vying for a piece of the substantial prize pool and the prestige of becoming EWC champions.
The participating teams and their rosters were as follows:
- Team Heretics: benjyfishy, Boo, Wo0t, RieNs, Koshmaras. The defending champions, Heretics, sought to replicate their success from the previous year but ultimately fell short in the quarter-finals.
- G2 Esports: valyn, trent, leaf, jawgemo, babybay. A strong European contender, G2 Esports showcased their competitive prowess throughout the tournament.
- EDward Gaming: nobody, CHICHOO, ZmjjKK, signed, Jieni7. Representing China, EDward Gaming brought a formidable presence to the EWC.
- Paper Rex: d4v41, f0rsakeN, something, Jinggg, invy. The Singapore-based team, known for their aggressive playstyle, was a crowd favorite.
- Karmine Corp: N4RRATE, avez, SUYGETSU, dos9, LêwN. With significant home crowd support, Karmine Corp aimed to make a deep run in the tournament.
- Gentle Mates: starxo, Proxh, Minny, marteen, bipo. Another French team bolstered by passionate home fans, they reached the quarter-finals.
- Team Vitality: Jamppi, Sayonara, Derke, Chronicle, PROFEK. The French organization, with a star-studded roster, was a strong contender but was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
- NRG: Ethan, mada, brawk, skuba, keiko. The North American powerhouse reached the grand finals, showcasing their resilience and skill.
- 100 Thieves: vora, Asuna, Cryocells, Timotino, bang. The eventual champions, 100 Thieves, demonstrated exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance to secure the title.
- MIBR: Verno, aspas, Mazino, tex, zekken. The Brazilian team was a strong representative from the South American region.
- XLG: WsLeo, Rarga, happywei, NoMan, Lysoar. A competitive team from the Asian region, XLG aimed to make their mark on the international stage.
- Rex Regum Qeon: crazyguy, xffero, Jemkin, monyet, Kushy, xan. This team represented a strong presence from the competitive Valorant scene.
- Global Esports: xavi8k, Kr1stal, UdoTan, autumn, PatMen. Another team from the competitive Asian region, Global Esports showcased their talent.
- AG.AL: K1ra, Shr1mp, iamgrq, f4ngeer, Youze. This team competed fiercely to represent their region in the EWC.
- BBL Esports: Rosé, Crewen, Lar0k, Loita, lovers rock. The Turkish team achieved a notable upset by defeating the defending champions in the quarter-finals.
- NS RedForce: Rb, Xross, Dambi, Francis, Ivy. The South Korean squad proved to be a formidable opponent, reaching the semi-finals.
The Esports World Cup continues to evolve as a premier global esports festival, and the Valorant championship in Paris has undoubtedly solidified its place as a must-watch event for fans of tactical FPS games. The victory for 100 Thieves marks a new chapter in their competitive history, while the EWC itself looks poised for continued growth and expansion in the years to come.