VALORANT Champions 2025: Fnatic, Aspas, and NRG Make History This Weekend
The Champions Paris are entering the final stretch! After an epic weekend of upper bracket semifinals — featuring unforgettable clashes between Fnatic and Paper Rex, then NRG and MIBR — the VALORANT community can now gear up for a grand finale under unprecedented conditions. Here’s a recap of an explosive week that has put the Paris tournament in the global spotlight.
The VALORANT World Championship has taken on a whole new dimension in France. Since September 12, sixteen teams have been battling for the ultimate title, with the intensity rising at every stage. As the Playoffs heat up, Riot Games promises a spectacular conclusion, both at the Accor Arena and on the big screen.
Image credit: Riot Games
Fnatic takes revenge, NRG withstands Brazilian pressure
The weekend was defined by two epic semifinals that confirmed the outstanding quality of this year’s Champions. On Saturday, Fnatic pulled off a stunning victory against Paper Rex (2-1), despite the absence of Alfajer, their star sentinel sidelined due to health issues. Stand-in Domagoj “Doma” Fancev rose to the challenge brilliantly, enabling the British squad to take their revenge on the Toronto Masters champions.
The turning point came on Lotus, where Fnatic, trailing 3-9 at halftime, pulled off a legendary comeback with twelve consecutive rounds (13-9). A performance that will go down in VCT history, sending Fnatic to the upper bracket final on October 3 against NRG. After finishing as finalists twice this season without lifting the trophy, the British side is edging closer to their first world title.
On Sunday, NRG showed remarkable composure in defeating MIBR (2-1) in a nail-biting series. Both of the North Americans’ wins went into overtime (16-14), highlighting the intensity of the contest. Despite the loss, Brazilian star Erick “aspas” Santos made history with 80 kills across three maps — a record for a global VCT event. His ADR (156) and ACS (272) earned him MVP honors. NRG, meanwhile, secures a top-3 finish and will face Fnatic in Paris on October 3 for a place in the grand final.
The lower bracket battle continues today
On September 29, the arena ignites again with two decisive matchups:
- Paper Rex vs Team Heretics,
- MIBR vs DRX.
These elimination matches promise high-stakes showdowns. Paper Rex must rebound from their loss to Fnatic and rediscover the form that carried them to victories in Toronto and VCT Pacific Stage 2. For MIBR, the goal is to build on aspas’s momentum and prove that the Brazilian underdogs can still shake up the global hierarchy. The winners will move closer to the grand final, while the losers will exit the tournament with regrets.
A missed opportunity for France
The dark cloud hanging over the event remains the complete absence of French representation in this home tournament. At the end of August, both Karmine Corp and Vitality were knocked out during the Stage 2 European playoffs, crushing their hopes of shining in front of their local crowd. For KC, the blow was even harder to swallow, as the Évry-Courcouronnes Arenas — which hosted the early rounds — are their usual home ground.
Against Fnatic, Karmine Corp had several chances to cause an upset, even winning the first map before falling in overtime on the second and collapsing on the third. As for Vitality, after a promising season opener marked by their Kick-off victory, the team never regained that level and fell to NAVI without seriously threatening their opponent.
The grand final hits cinemas on October 5
A major first this year: the final will be broadcast live in cinemas across the EMEA region. Thanks to a partnership between Riot Games and Piece of Magic Entertainment, fans will be able to experience the excitement of the Accor Arena without leaving their city. From the opening ceremony to the last round, every moment will be shown in top quality for a collective, immersive experience.
Don’t miss the cinema screenings organized by Mégarama, Kinepolis, and Pathé on October 5! 🍿
Book your tickets here to experience the Champions Paris Final on the big screen:
– Mégarama: https://t.co/tAHIfLGSLv
– Kinepolis: https://t.co/PR5sxqza5L
– Pathé:… pic.twitter.com/oHcq0mf1v4 — Minecraft (@Minecraft) September 26, 2025
Mégarama, Kinepolis, and Pathé are among the cinema chains on board to host this exceptional event. The full list of participating theaters and booking details can be found on the official VALORANT social channels.
