Here are the four groups of the Valorant Champions 2023 group stage, along with the opening matches
Valorant has announced the four groups of the upcoming Champions League 2023 that will take place in Lost Angeles, the game’s biggest eSports event. A total of 16 teams are divided into these four groups and the event will start on August 6.
of #VALORANTchampions groups are closed! pic.twitter.com/ybUoCWbSru
— VALORANT Tournament of Champions (@ValorantEsports) July 24, 2023
Champions 2023 – Group A
- Letter Rex
- KRÜ Esports
- Edward Gaming
- giants
In Group A we have the Pacific League favourites, who put in a good performance at the Tokyo Masters even without their star Ilya Petrov, who will join Paper Rex in Champions 2023.
KRÜ Esports, a team that left the American League with a winless 0-9 record, has found its way back into the deep waters with undefeated journey in LCQ.
of Chinese miracle Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang, also known as Kangkang is ready to bring dessert again, this time to North America with his excellent team EDward Gaming who held incredible concerns at the Tokyo Masters.
Lastly, we have Giants, who won the EMEA LCQ after failing to secure a Masters spot, even beating NAVI in the Last Chance Qualifier Grand Final.
Opening matches
- Paper Rex vs KRÜ Esports
- EDward Gaming vs Giants
Champions 2023 – Group B
- Evil Geniuses
- FunPlus Phoenix
- FUT Esports
- T1
evil geniuses, Tokyo Masters finalist and North America’s current best team will no longer hold the underdog status in the Champions League as they have already proven their worth. They will be Group B favorites at the start of the event.
FunPlus Phoenix’s debut at an international event as a Chinese team was at LOCK//IN, and they missed out on securing the Tokyo Masters. Now, they’re back with a lot to prove as the team remains in EDG’s shadow.
FUT failed to make it past the Tokyo Masters group stage, but thanks to their #3 ranking in the EMEA League, they have secured another global LAN.
T1 have done quite well in the Pacific League, but have yet to prove their worth on a global stage like Masters or Champions, and this will be their chance to show the world their excellence.
Opening matches
- Evil Geniuses vs FunPlus Phoenix
- FUT Esports vs T1
Champions 2023 – Group C
- Fnatic
- ZETA DIVISION
- NRG
- Bilibili Gaming
Fnatic are undoubtedly the favorites as they have won every world event with trophies LOCK SOMEONE INSIDE AND Tokyo Masters. Only time will tell if the kings of Valorant can keep their crown for the remainder of 2023.
ZETA DIVISION unfortunately could not participate in this year’s Masters that took place in their country, but they have secured a Champions spot from winning the Pacific LCQ.
NRG, the second and last team from North America, are also one of the favorites, given the reputation of their core. Having Fnatic in the same group will definitely be a challenge for Pujan “FiNESSE” Mehta’s IGL team.
Lastly, we have Bilibili Gaming (BLG) as the fourth team in Group C. The Chinese roster found their way to the Champions League through the China Qualifier and this will be their debut on a global stage.
Opening matches
- Fnatic vs ZETA DIVISION
- NRG vs Bilibili Gaming
Champions 2023 – Group D
- Team Liquid
- Born to win
- DRX
- loudly
Team Liquid, winner of this year’s EMEA League, didn’t have the most impressive run at the Tokyo Masters, securing just one win in the playoffs. However, with a talented roster full of trophy winners, they will be a tough competitor in Group D.
NAVI was the second best team in the EMEA League Regular Stage. However, since then, they have fallen short, barely making it to the Masters and going a quick 0-2. Moreover, losing to the Giants in the LCQ grand final does not bode well for the team.
DRX, once known as the best team in the Pacific, have faced problems with their roster recently, resulting in poor form at the Tokyo Masters. The champions will be their chance to finally avoid the Playoff curse facing this South Korean team.
As former Champions 2022 winners, LOUD will do their best to take the title of the best team in the world from Fnatic this year. However, their disappointing 0-2 exit from the Tokyo Masters may raise some doubts among Brazilian fans.
Opening matches
- Team Liquid vs Born to Win
- DRX vs LOUD
Credit: Riot Games
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