VALORANT Champions 2025 preview & betting predictions

The fifth edition of VALORANT Champions is just around the corner, welcoming the world’s top 16 teams to battle for the world championship trophy and the lion’s share of the US$2.25 million prize pool.

Scheduled to begin on September 12 in Paris, the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) season finale starts with four best-of-three double-elimination groups and culminates in double-elimination playoffs, with best-of-five matchups in the lower-bracket final and grand final.

VALORANT Champions 2025 will be hosted at Les Arènes for the group stage and the first part of the playoffs, while the final four teams will head to the renowned Accor Arena.

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  Fast Payouts

VALORANT Champions 2025 outright odds

• Paper Rex – +175
• G2 Esports – +300
• Fnatic – +600
• Team Liquid – +650
• Team Heretics – +900
• Sentinels – +900
• NRG – +1000
• EDward Gaming – +3000
• Rex Regum Qeon – +3000
• T1 – +4000
• DRX – +4000
• Bilibili Gaming – +4000
• MIBR – +6600
• GIANTX – +7500
• Dragon Ranger Gaming – +7500
• XLG Esports – +10000

More markets available at BetOnline

VALORANT Champions 2025 groups

Group A: Paper Rex, GIANTX, Sentinels, XLG Esports

Group B: Bilibili Gaming, Rex Regum Qeon, Fnatic, MIBR

Group C: Team Liquid, NRG, EDward Gaming, DRX

Group D: G2 Esports, Dragon Ranger Gaming, T1, Team Heretics

VALORANT Champions 2025 teams to watch

Paper Rex

The VCT Pacific champions have been one of the most consistent teams over the last three seasons, and this appears to be their best year yet. Since finishing third in Stage 1, Paper Rex have played 27 games and lost just five, winning titles at Masters Toronto and Stage 2. Throw in a fourth-place finish at the Esports World Cup, and it’s easy to see why esports betting sites have them as outright favorites.

G2 Esports

Despite not winning any international events this year, G2 Esports have taken out all three VCT Americas titles, placed second in Bangkok, and finished fourth in Toronto. While they only managed 13th-16th place at EWC 2025, that was with coach Peter “shhhack” Belej playing as a stand-in. G2 have not finished lower than fourth this year when fielding a full lineup, so they are the clear danger to Paper Rex’s title hopes.

Team Liquid

After seasons of iffy results, Team Liquid have found more success this year with a second-place finish in the Kickoff event, a top six at Masters Bangkok, a bronze medal from VCT EMEA Stage 1, and gold from Stage 2. They seem to be peaking just in time to launch an attack on the VALORANT Champions trophy.

Bilibili Gaming

Bilibili Gaming have had a decent run through the regional league, with a third-place finish in the Kickoff tournament, second in VCT China Stage 1, and first in Stage 2. They have also been competitive in international events; BLG beat G2 Esports and forced Paper Rex into overtime at the EWC, while they defeated Team Liquid in Toronto. With big outright odds and a high ceiling, these guys have the tools to shake up the field.

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  The bookies' bookie

VALORANT Champions 2025 betting picks

Best bet – Paper Rex to win

It is no surprise that VALORANT betting sites have Paper Rex as clear favorites for the title. While they have been known to slip slip in the latter stages of competitions, the Southeast Asian heavyweights are much more stable this year, as proven by their title runs at Masters Toronto and VCT Pacific Stage 2.

Value bet – Bilibili Gaming to win Group B

Having shown they can perform at an elite level, Bilibili Gaming appear to be heavily underrated by VALORANT Champions betting markets. We are getting +400 on China’s top-seeded team to win Group B, which features the struggling Fnatic, outsiders MIBR, and Rex Regum Qeon, who have been hit hard by the removal of Icebox. That’s a very generous offer.