Key Takeaways
- Nongshim RedForce won the VALORANT Masters Santiago grand finals by sweeping Paper Rex 3–0.
- The tournament featured 12 teams and took place from February 28 to March 15, 2026, in Santiago, Chile.
- Nongshim RedForce remained undefeated throughout the playoffs and earned a prize of $350,000 for their victory.
- Lee ‘Dambi’ Hyuk-kyu received the MVP award for his contributions to the team’s success.
- The event also showcased a new VALORANT agent and game mode, marking a historic moment for international tournaments in Chile.
Nongshim RedForce sweep Paper Rex 3–0 to win the VALORANT Masters Santiago grand finals. The championship match concluded the first international event of the 2026 Valorant Champions Tour season. The tournament took place in Santiago, Chile. Riot Games organized the event. Twelve teams competed for the international title and prize pool.
Nongshim RedForce Sweep Paper Rex in Dominant Grand Finals
The grand finals followed a best-of-five format. Nongshim RedForce secured victory in three straight maps. Paper Rex did not win a single map during the final series. The Korean roster maintained control throughout the match. Strong coordination and consistent performances helped the team secure the championship.
Nongshim RedForce reached the finals through the upper bracket. The team remained undefeated in the playoff stage. They lost only one map during the entire tournament before the final series. Their playoff run included victories against several top international teams.
Paper Rex advanced through the lower bracket. The team fought through elimination matches to reach the championship round. Earlier in the playoffs, Paper Rex defeated multiple opponents from the Americas region. Their run included a win over NRG in the lower bracket final.
Tournament Details from VALORANT Masters Santiago
VALORANT Masters Santiago ran from February 28 to March 15, 2026. The event featured teams from regional leagues around the world. The total prize pool reached $1,000,000. The tournament served as the first global Masters competition of the season.
Nongshim RedForce earned the championship prize of $350,000. The team also received championship points for the 2026 season standings. Paper Rex finished in second place. The runner-up prize totaled $200,000 along with championship points.
Historic Victory After Nongshim RedForce Sweep Paper Rex
The victory marked the first international VALORANT title for Nongshim RedForce. The team previously qualified for top-tier competition through the Ascension system. Their win made them the first Ascension team to capture a major global VALORANT championship.
Lee “Dambi” Hyuk-kyu from Nongshim RedForce received the Most Valuable Player award. His performances during the tournament contributed to the team’s undefeated playoff run.
The tournament also included a special showcase event. Riot Games introduced a new VALORANT agent named Miks. The exhibition also presented a new game mode called Knockout.
Masters Santiago became the first VALORANT international tournament hosted in Chile. It was also the second global VALORANT event held in Latin America.
