The conclusion of the Valorant segment at the highly anticipated Esports World Cup (EWC) has seen North American powerhouse 100 Thieves emerge victorious, securing a monumental $600,000 prize. The tournament, a cornerstone of the global esports calendar, wrapped up its Valorant competition in Paris, France, delivering a series of thrilling matches that captivated audiences worldwide. This year’s event marked a significant shift, relocating from its previous base in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to the iconic European capital, promising a fresh stage for 24 different esports titles.
The Esports World Cup, now in its third installment since its inception in 2024, has quickly established itself as a premier destination for competitive gaming. The decision to host in Paris for this summer’s edition brought together elite talent across a diverse spectrum of genres, from the intricate strategies of MOBAs and the intense duels of the Fighting Game Community (FGC) to the tactical precision of First-Person Shooters (FPS) and the familiar excitement of sports simulations. Valorant, as one of the most popular and strategically demanding tactical shooters, was a flagship title, kicking off the competitive proceedings in week one and setting a high bar for the subsequent weeks of gaming action.
Following a fiercely contested London Masters Finals, where Leviathan ultimately claimed the championship, the EWC brought together 16 of the world’s most formidable Valorant teams. These squads vied for the coveted grand prize, aiming to etch their names in esports history, much like Team Heretics did in the previous year’s iteration of the tournament. The defending champions, Team Heretics, were among the prominent contenders, drawing considerable attention and support from the Parisian crowd.
The Road to the Finals: Upsets and Triumphs
The path to the Valorant championship was fraught with intense competition and surprising outcomes. A significant upset occurred when Team Heretics, despite entering the playoffs as a favored team and benefiting from strong home crowd support, were eliminated by BBL Esports in a dramatic three-game series. The opening match saw Heretics secure a narrow 16-14 victory, a testament to the close-knit nature of the competition. However, BBL Esports swiftly retaliated in the second game, delivering a decisive 13-2 defeat. The momentum carried over for the Turkish squad, as they clinched the series with a 13-10 win in the final map, effectively ending Heretics’ title defense and sending a strong message to the remaining contenders.
The second quarter-final also provided its share of drama, as French hopes were pinned on Gentle Mates. Despite a vociferous roar from "The Gentle Suits," their dedicated fanbase, Gentle Mates were unable to convert an early series lead into a victory. NRG emerged victorious in a hard-fought contest, winning the subsequent two maps with scores of 13-9 and 13-10, respectively. This result meant that both Gentle Mates and the defeated Team Heretics secured joint 5th-8th place finishes, each earning $90,000, ensuring that a new champion would be crowned this year.
Further dashing the aspirations of the home crowd, Team Vitality, another French squad, was eliminated in the first quarter-final by South Korea’s NS RedForce. While Vitality managed to put up a strong fight on the initial map, NS RedForce showcased remarkable resilience and tactical prowess, dominating the subsequent two games with convincing 13-7 and 13-2 victories. This performance underscored the growing international strength in Valorant esports, with teams from various regions demonstrating their capability to challenge established powerhouses.
The Grand Finale: 100 Thieves vs. NRG
The climax of the Valorant EWC 2026 saw a compelling all-North American showdown between 100 Thieves and NRG. 100 Thieves had earned their spot in the finals by overcoming NS RedForce in a decisive victory, setting the stage for an anticipated clash against their regional rivals. The grand final proved to be a testament to 100 Thieves’ superior performance and strategic execution.
While NRG managed to mount a comeback after falling behind two maps to none, ultimately denying 100 Thieves a clean sweep with a dominant 13-2 win on Haven, the momentum proved temporary. 100 Thieves regrouped and secured the championship with a hard-fought 14-12 victory on Ascent. The decisive win capped off an exceptional tournament for the team, solidifying their status as the Esports World Cup Valorant champions. Matthew "Cryocells" Panganiban of 100 Thieves was deservedly awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors for his outstanding individual performance throughout the finals, a fitting recognition of his crucial role in his team’s triumph.
Tournament Structure and Prize Distribution
The Esports World Cup’s Valorant tournament featured a robust format designed to test the mettle of the participating teams. The group stage commenced on July 2nd, with 16 teams divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group advanced to the playoffs, a single-elimination bracket that culminated in the grand finals. This structure ensured that only the most consistent and skilled teams progressed, leading to a high-stakes playoff environment.
The significant prize pool was distributed across the top-performing teams, reflecting the prestige and scale of the Esports World Cup. The final standings and prize money were as follows:
- 1st Place: 100 Thieves – $600,000
- 2nd Place: NRG – $340,000
- 3rd Place: NS RedForce – $220,000
- 4th Place: BBL Esports – $140,000
- 5th-8th Place: MIBR, Team Vitality, Gentle Mates, Team Heretics – $90,000 each
This substantial prize money underscores the financial commitment and the high stakes involved in top-tier esports tournaments, offering significant rewards for the dedication and skill displayed by professional players and organizations.
Broadcast and Accessibility
Ensuring a global audience could follow the excitement, the Esports World Cup Valorant matches were broadcast across major streaming platforms, including Twitch and YouTube. The tournament organizers provided multiple concurrent streams, allowing viewers to follow various matches simultaneously without missing any critical action. This multi-stream approach is standard practice for large-scale esports events, catering to diverse fan preferences and ensuring maximum viewership engagement.
Looking Back: Team Rosters and Previous Performances
The roster of teams participating in the Valorant EWC 2026 represented a diverse array of talent from across the globe. Notable participants included the defending champions Team Heretics, alongside other established organizations such as G2 Esports, EDward Gaming, Paper Rex, Team Vitality, MIBR, 100 Thieves, XLG, Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp, Rex Regum Qeon, Global Esports, NRG, AG.AL, BBL Esports, and NS RedForce.
The inclusion of multiple French teams – Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp, and Vitality – generated considerable local interest and support, highlighting the growing popularity of Valorant within France and the broader European region. The performance of these teams, particularly their progression through the early stages, fueled fan enthusiasm and underscored the national pride associated with their participation.
The full list of participating teams and their respective rosters provided a snapshot of the current professional Valorant landscape:
- Team Heretics: benjyfishy, Boo, Wo0t, RieNs, Koshmaras
- G2 Esports: valyn, trent, leaf, jawgemo, babybay
- EDward Gaming: nobody, CHICHOO, ZmjjKK, signed, Jieni7
- Paper Rex: d4v41, f0rsakeN, something, Jinggg, invy
- Karmine Corp: N4RRATE, avez, SUYGETSU, dos9, LêwN
- Gentle Mates: starxo, Proxh, Minny, marteen, bipo
- Team Vitality: Jamppi, Sayonara, Derke, Chronicle, PROFEK
- NRG: Ethan, mada, brawk, skuba, keiko
- 100 Thieves: vora, Asuna, Cryocells, Timotino, bang
- MIBR: Verno, aspas, Mazino, tex, zekken
- XLG: WsLeo, Rarga, happywei, NoMan, Lysoar
- Rex Regum Qeon: crazyguy, xffero, Jemkin, monyet, Kushy, xan
- Global Esports: xavi8k, Kr1stal, UdoTan, autumn, PatMen
- AG.AL: K1ra, Shr1mp, iamgrq, f4ngeer, Youze
- BBL Esports: Rosé, Crewen, Lar0k, Loita, lovers rock
- NS RedForce: Rb, Xross, Dambi, Francis, Ivy
The EWC 2026 Valorant tournament was a resounding success, not only crowning a new champion but also showcasing the global appeal and competitive depth of the tactical shooter. The move to Paris provided a vibrant backdrop for the competition, and the high level of play delivered by the world’s best teams has set a new benchmark for future iterations of this prestigious event. 100 Thieves’ victory marks a significant achievement, cementing their legacy in the annals of esports history.