The countdown is on for VALORANT Champions 2025, set to begin on September 12th in Paris, with sixteen of the world’s top teams vying for the $2.25 million prize pool. Group C has quickly become a hot topic among fans and analysts, featuring a competitive mix of seasoned champions, rising dark horses, and underdog squads. Among these teams, reigning world champions EDward Gaming (EDG) aim to make history by defending their title.
Team Liquid enters Group C as the first seed from the EMEA region. The team has built a solid foundation around legendary in-game leader Ayaz ‘nAts’ Akhmetshin, whose strategies on Viper and Cypher have been widely praised. The roster also features high-impact players Kamil ‘kamo’ Frąckowia, Georgio ‘keiko’ Sanassy, and recent signee Nikita ‘trexx’ Cherednichenko. Team Liquid captured the Stage 2 trophy against GIANTX with a flawless performance, yet the challenge lies in translating regional dominance to the international stage. Their first match against DRX on September 13th will be crucial to establishing momentum in the tournament.
NRG, a North American team, is Group C’s second seed and a true dark horse. Despite a rocky start to the season, including losses in VCT Americas Kickoff and Stage 1, the team shocked the region by defeating top teams such as Cloud9 and Sentinels in Stage 2. NRG’s defensive playstyle, particularly the impressive Operator work of Adam ‘mada’ Pampuch, has left a strong impression. However, their attack side often lacks flexibility, relying on meticulously planned site executes that could be exploited by opponents. NRG will need to enhance strategic depth to secure their first matches and remain a contender in Paris.
EDward Gaming, as the reigning world champions, have both prestige and pressure on their shoulders. After claiming the 2024 VALORANT Champions title, the team faced challenges following the departure of Hsieh ‘S1Mon’ Meng-hsun. EDG finished fourth in both VCT China Stage 1 and Stage 2 but still qualified for Champions based on VCT Points. Fans have reason for optimism, as Abyss, a historically strong map for EDG, returns to the active pool. Star duelist Zheng ‘ZmjjKK’ Yongkang and the roster as a whole have had weeks to refine strategies, giving them a real chance at becoming the first back-to-back champions.
DRX faces an uphill battle in Group C. The Pacific region team has struggled throughout 2025, finishing fourth in Stage 1 and Stage 2 Playoffs and entering Champions only thanks to VCT Points. Despite early exits and a shuffled roster, DRX brings veteran leadership in Kim ‘MaKo’ Myeong-kwan and the impactful duelist Song ‘HYUNMIN’ Hyun-min. While an upset over Team Liquid is unlikely, DRX has enough talent to pull off surprises when it matters most.
Group C promises intense matches and high stakes as VALORANT Champions 2025 unfolds in Paris. Every team has something to prove, whether it is defending a title, securing regional pride, or proving themselves on the world stage. Fans can catch all the action live on VCT’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, witnessing the drama, strategy, and skill that make this event one of the year’s most anticipated esports tournaments.
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