The matchday at the Valorant Champions Tour 2026 was action-packed: Stage 2 Playoffs were underway in both the Americas and Pacific regions on August 27, and Pacific saw a major upset. Nongshim RedForce, often considered an underdog in recent weeks, prevailed against the heavy favorite Gen.G.
How Did the VCT Americas Stage 2 Playoffs Unfold?
In the Americas region, LOUD swept FURIA 2:0 in the first round of the Upper Bracket, as did LEVIATÁN against MIBR. Both winners will next face top seeds NRG and 100 Thieves, respectively — further narrowing the field for direct qualification spots to Valorant Champions 2026 in Shanghai.
Why Is Nongshim RedForce's Victory So Surprising?
In the Pacific region, Nongshim RedForce defeated title favorite Gen.G 2:1 in the Upper Semifinals — just days after the team had already knocked Paper Rex out of the tournament with a decisive 2:0 win. Two consecutive victories against two of the region's strongest teams are no longer a coincidence, but a genuine surge in form at the most crucial point of the season. In the second Pacific match, Global Esports also swept VARREL 2:0. Both winners are now vying for coveted spots at Champions 2026 in Shanghai, Valorant's unofficial world championship tournament — Nongshim RedForce, with their upset against Gen.G, has earned realistic chances that few would have attributed to the team before the stage.
Source: dotesports.com, esports.gg
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