Champions Shanghai Playoff Draw Revealed G2 100t Clash [2026 Update]

As originally reported by VLR.gg, the final opening matchups for the Shanghai playoffs have been determined following a live on-stage draw ceremony. The group stage concluded with eight premier organizations advancing into the double-elimination bracket, each holding two lives entering the upper bracket rounds. Under the official tournament rules, group stage winners (2-0 records) were paired directly against lower-bracket qualifiers (2-1 records). While inter-regional matchups were permitted in the opening phase, rules prohibited teams from the same group being seeded onto the same side of the bracket.

Highlight matchups feature North American heavyweights 100 Thieves squaring off against domestic rivals G2 Esports in a high-stakes opener, while European top seed Team Vitality faces Pacific representative Nongshim RedForce. This bracket setup follows earlier intense group eliminations, such as when , narrowing down the global roster of title contenders. With single-elimination risks removed for now, all eight remaining teams must navigate complex tactical matchups to advance toward the grand finals.