VALORANT Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems Returns With AWS, Riot Mobile Support and In-Game Rewards

VALORANT fans can start building their Champions Shanghai brackets before the biggest tournament of the 2026 VCT season gets underway.

Riot Games has launched Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems powered by AWS, giving players and esports fans another opportunity to predict which teams will survive the group stage, advance through the playoffs and make the deepest run in Shanghai.

The prediction game is already open ahead of VALORANT Champions Shanghai, which runs from September 24 to October 18, 2026. Riot has also expanded Pick’Ems beyond its usual web and game-client experience by bringing predictions to Riot Mobile for the first time.

Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems Are Now Open

Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems opened on September 10, giving fans time to study the tournament field before competition begins. The format remains simple: players predict tournament results and earn points when their picks are correct. Some fans will rely on recent form, team statistics and past international performances, while others will simply back their favorite organization or region. That unpredictability is part of the appeal, especially in VALORANT, where one upset can destroy an otherwise carefully planned bracket.

Riot Mobile Joins the Pick’Ems Experience

One of the biggest changes this year is the addition of Riot Mobile. Champions Shanghai marks the first time fans can make Pick’Ems predictions directly through the mobile app, making the experience easier to follow without needing to open the VALORANT client or visit the esports website on a desktop. Riot Mobile can also remind users before their selections lock, which could help players avoid missing deadlines during a tournament that stretches across several weeks.

Group Stage Pick’Ems Run Until September 24

Group Stage predictions opened on September 10, while the first stage of Champions Shanghai begins on September 24. Fans have until shortly after the opening match starts to finalize their selections. The extended prediction window gives players time to compare qualified teams, review recent results and consider how different matchups could develop before committing to a bracket. Even then, Champions-level events rarely follow the cleanest script, and early surprises can quickly reshape the competition.

Playoffs Pick’Ems Open After the Draw

Fans will get another chance to make predictions once the tournament reaches the playoffs. The Playoffs Pick’Ems period is scheduled to open on October 4 following the Champions Shanghai Draw Show, when the remaining teams learn their postseason matchups. Players can then reassess the field based on actual group-stage performances rather than preseason expectations. That reset also means a poor opening bracket does not necessarily end someone’s chances of finishing strongly in the Pick’Ems rankings.

Champions Shanghai Pick’Ems Include In-Game Rewards

Riot is also offering in-game rewards based on participation and overall Pick’Ems performance. Players who take part can receive the Calculated Title, while stronger finishes unlock additional rewards such as the Stone of Heaven Gun Buddy and the Pick’Ems Master: Stone of Heaven Gun Buddy. A perfect prediction run can also earn the 100% Title. The reward system gives casual viewers a reason to participate while giving more competitive fans something to chase throughout the tournament.

AWS Continues Its Role in VALORANT Esports

The Pick’Ems experience is once again powered by AWS, continuing the technology company’s involvement in Riot’s esports ecosystem. AWS has become closely associated with data-driven features across competitive gaming, particularly where live statistics, prediction tools and audience engagement are involved. For Champions Shanghai, that partnership supports a feature designed to keep fans engaged with the event beyond simply watching matches.

Pick’Ems Adds More Meaning to Every Match

Prediction games work because they give viewers a reason to care about matches outside their usual interests. A series between two teams a fan rarely follows suddenly matters when the result directly affects a bracket. That creates another layer of tension throughout the tournament and encourages viewers to keep checking standings, results and upcoming fixtures. The addition of mobile access makes that interaction even easier, especially for fans following Champions Shanghai across different time zones.

Champions Shanghai Begins September 24

VALORANT Champions Shanghai begins on September 24 and runs through October 18, bringing together the strongest teams from across the VCT ecosystem to compete for the 2026 world championship. With Pick’Ems already open, fans can start making their predictions before the first match begins and then track how well those choices survive once the tournament gets underway.