Valorant Champions 2023 Groups and Opening Matches Revealed

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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. 

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.

FunPlus Phoenix’s debut in an international event as a Chinese team was at LOCK//IN, and they missed the chance of securing Masters Tokyo. Now, they are back with a lot to prove as the squad remains in the shadow of EDG.

FUT failed to go past the Group Stage of Masters Tokyo, but thanks to their #3 seeding at the EMEA League, they have secured another global LAN.

T1 have done pretty well in the Pacific League but are yet to prove their worth at a global stage like Masters or Champions, and this is going to be their chance to show the world their excellency.

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.

Opening Matches

  • Team Liquid vs Natus Vincere
  • DRX vs LOUD

Valorant Champions 2023 Groups and Opening Matches

Credit: Riot Games

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Valorant Champions 2023 Groups and Opening Matches Revealed
Thealchemist
Who knew combining a love for cheesy one-liners and Valorant would lead to a writing career?