As the qualification process for the Champions Paris is finishing up across the globe, it’s the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) China Stage 2 event that is first over the line. We already knew which four Chinese teams would represent at Champions Paris based on VCT points. But now, we have the complete Stage 2 results to share after Bilibili Gaming emerged victorious. 

After a grueling double-elimination bracket, it was Dragon Ranger Gaming who made it to the Grand Final first, beating reigning world champions EDward Gaming 2-0, the Stage 1 champions XLG Esports 2-1, and Bilibili Gaming 2-1. 

With a 3-1 win over EDward Gaming in the Lower Bracket Final, Bilibili Gaming made it to the Grand Final, where it overcame Dragon Ranger Gaming in a 3-1 after losing the first map. With the win, BiliBili Gaming’s redemption arc was complete after its disappointing 1-3 loss in the Stage 1 Grand Final against XLG Esports.

As the dust settles over the Chongqing Science Hall venue, we now know the precise seeding for the VCT China teams at Champions Paris:

• Bilibili Gaming (#1 after winning Stage 2)
• Dragon Ranger (#2 thanks to 2nd place finish in Stage 2)
• EDward Gaming (#3 based on 17 VCT Points earned)
• XLG Esports (#4 based on 16 VCT Points earned)

Yes, the reigning world champions, EDward Gaming, will get to defend its title at Champions Paris, as the #3 Seed from VCT China. Getting to the position wasn’t easy, as the team also had to fight for redemption following a loss early on.

EDward Gaming’s heroic Lower Bracket run in Stage 2

After lifting the coveted trophy at Champions 2024, winning the VCT China Kickoff event, and then placing third at Masters Bangkok, EDward Gaming was a clear favorite going into Stage 1. But EDG ended up letting fans down, placing in 4th after losing to a reverse-sweep from Bilibili Gaming. That brings us to VCT China Stage 2.

While EDward Gaming is no stranger to playing on the brink of elimination, few expected them to go down so early in the Stage 2 Playoffs. Dragon Ranger Gaming knocked EDward Gaming down with a 2-0 score in the first round of the Upper Bracket, leaving the world champions to fight for their tournament lives.

In the first round of the Lower Bracket, Trace Esports won the first map, putting EDward Gaming on the brink of elimination. However, the world champions showed their big-match temperament, narrowly winning the following two maps to complete a 2-1 reverse sweep. 

EDward Gaming went on to beat TYLOO in a convincing 2-0, before running into XLG Esports in the Lower Bracket Semifinal. The winner here would secure the #3 seed, while the loser would go into Champions Paris as the lowest seed from the region. EDward Gaming stepped up to the plate to beat XLG Esports 2-0, securing their #3 seed position. Its heroic run ended against BiliBili Gaming in the Lower Bracket Final, where they lost 3-1 after finding a win in the first map, coming close to making it to the Grand Final.

Check out the top five plays from the VCT Stage 2 finals below to get hyped for all the VALORANT esports action yet to come this season.

 

We’ve already watched as Sentinels and G2 make it through Americas, RRQ and T1 claim spots in the Pacific region, and Fnatic secure the first EMEA slot. Now, it all comes down to the weekend of August 29-31, when these regions will wrap up their respective Stage 2 events.