Valorant Champions 2023 Groups and Opening Matches Revealed

Here are the four groups of Valorant Champions 2023’s Group Stage, along with the opening matches

Valorant has announced the four groups of the upcoming Champions 2023 taking place in Lost Angeles, the biggest eSports event of the game. A total of 16 teams are divided into these four groups, and the event will begin on August 6.

The #VALORANTChampions groups are locked in! pic.twitter.com/ybUoCWbSru

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) July 24, 2023

Champions 2023 – Group A

Paper Rex
KRÜ Esports
EDward Gaming
Giants

In Group A, we have the favorites of the Pacific League, who put up a decent performance at Masters Tokyo even without their star player Ilya “something” Petrov, who will be joining Paper Rex at Champions 2023.

KRÜ Esports, a team that left the Americas League with a winless 0-9 record, has found its way back into the deep waters with its undefeated journey in the LCQ.

The Chinese prodigy Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang, also known as Kangkang is ready to bring eye candy again, this time in North America with his excellent team EDward Gaming which carried unbelievable upsets at Masters Tokyo.

Lastly, we have Giants, who won the EMEA LCQ after failing to secure a spot in the Masters, even defeating NAVI in the Grand Final of the Last Chance Qualifier.

Opening Matches

Paper Rex vs KRÜ Esports
EDward Gaming vs Giants

Champions 2023 – Group B

Evil Geniuses
FunPlus Phoenix
FUT Esports
T1

Evil Geniuses, the finalist of Masters Tokyo and the current best North American squad will no longer hold onto an “underdog” status at Champions as they have already proven their worth. They will be the favorites of Group B at the start of the event.

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 single global event with the trophies of LOCK//IN and Masters Tokyo. Only time will tell if the kings of Valorant can hold onto their crown for the remainder of 2023.

ZETA DIVISION sadly couldn’t attend this year’s Masters that took place in their home country, but they have secured a Champions slot by 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 pose a challenge to IGL Pujan “FiNESSE” Mehta’s team.

Lastly, we have Bilibili Gaming (BLG) as the fourth team of Group C. The Chinese roster found their way to the Champions through 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
Natus Vincere
DRX
LOUD

Team Liquid, the winner of this year’s EMEA League, didn’t have the most impressive run at Masters Tokyo, as they secured only one victory in the Playoffs. However, with a talented roster full of trophy winners, they are going to be a fierce competitor in Group D.

NAVI were the second-best team in the Regular Stage of the EMEA League. However, since then, they have not made significant achievements, barely making it to the Masters and having a quick 0-2 exit. Moreover, losing to Giants at the LCQ’s Grand Final isn’t looking like a good sign for the team.

DRX, once known as the best Pacific team, have been facing issues with their roster lineup recently, resulting in poor form at Masters Tokyo. The Champions will be their chance to finally avoid the Playoff curse this South Korean team has been facing.

As the former winners of Champions 2022, LOUD will be doing their best to take the title of the best team in the world back from Fnatic this year. However, their disappointing 0-2 exit from Masters Tokyo may create some sense of doubt in Brazilian fans.