LOUD defeats NRG at VCT Champions 2026 to set up rematch

LOUD defeated NRG 2-1 in the VCT Champions 2026 upper bracket semi-final on October 10. Esports Insider and Esports News UK both reported that the victory sends LOUD to a rematch against Team Vitality, while NRG drops into the lower bracket of the tournament. [1][2]

LOUD claimed the opening map of the series in 46 minutes, Esports Insider reported. NRG answered by winning the second map after 49 minutes, which Esports Insider noted was the longest contest of the series, before LOUD closed out the 2-1 match victory. [1]

The result gives LOUD another match against Team Vitality, who Esports Insider reported is the only team to beat LOUD at the tournament so far. NRG, whose roster includes British player Keiko, remains in contention but now faces a tougher route with no room for error in the lower bracket. [1]

As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, former world champions LOUD had previously secured their playoff spot at the Shanghai tournament by defeating Global Esports 2-0 in a decider match. VALORANT Champions 2026 is organised by Riot Games in Shanghai, China. [6]