The stage is set for VCT 2026 China Stage 2, the final stage of the 2026 VALORANT season for the Chinese league.
Scheduled to kick off on Thursday, July 9, VCT 2026 China Stage 2 is the final stage of the 2026 season, welcoming all 12 franchised VALORANT teams who will face off for the trophy and VALORANT Champions invite.
While Stage 2 will feature the same 14 teams, many squads have made roster changes during the offseason, introducing a breath of fresh air into the league.
However, the balance of power has not changed much, with the usual suspects still at the top of the food chain.
The defending champions, EDward Gaming, enter VCT China Stage 2 as the team to beat, with top-rated bookmakers pricing them as favourites, ahead of XLG Esports, All Gamers, and Dragon Ranger Gaming, who’ve retained their tag as serious title contenders.
While the spotlight will be on EDward Gaming, the battle for the VCT 2026 China Stage 2 title is far from decided, adding a pinch of excitement for VALORANT fans and punters alike.
Here is all the information you need about VCT 2026 China Stage 2, including the format, schedule, favourites, and outright betting odds, courtesy of the top-rated esports bookmakers.
VCT 2026 China Stage 2 Format
VCT China Stage 2 will follow a familiar format, dividing the league into three stages.
The action begins with a group stage, where 12 franchised teams will be divided into two single-round robin groups. All group stage games will be played as best-of-three (BO3), with the top two teams per group securing an invite to the playoffs.
The third- to fifth-place teams will advance to the Play-Ins Upper Bracket Round 2, while the two sixth-placed teams will advance to the Play-Ins Upper Bracket Round 1.
The Play-Ins will feature a 10-team double-elimination bracket, including eight teams from the group stage and two teams from the China National Tournament. The Play-In games are best-of-three (BO3), with only the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
VCT China Stage 2 Playoffs transition to a double-elimination bracket, with all games played as best-of-three (BO3), except for the lower bracket final and the grand final, which are best-of-five (BO5).
Group Stage
- 12 VALORANT teams
- Two groups of six
- Single round-robin groups
- Best-of-three (BO3)
- The top two teams proceed to the playoffs
- 3rd-5th-place teams proceed to Play-Ins Upper Bracket Round 2
- 6th-place teams advance to Play-Ins Upper Bracket Round 1
Play-Ins
- 10-team double-elimination bracket
- Eight teams from the group stage
- Two teams from the China National Tournament
- All games are best-of-three (BO3)
- The top four teams advance to the playoffs
Playoffs
- Six teams
- Double-elimination bracket
- Best-of-five (BO5) lower bracket final and grand final
- All other games are best-of-three (BO3)
How to Bet on VCT 2026 China Stage 2?
Betting on VCT China Stage 2 is very straightforward, mainly due to the excellent coverage of VCT odds on most online esports betting sites.
While there are many options to choose from, Stake stands out as one of the top options, thanks to its competitive odds, great market coverage, and various bonuses and promotions for new and existing users.
- Visit Stake
- Register on Stake with promo code NEWBONUS or log in
- Navigate to the VALORANT tab and look for VCT 2026 China Stage 2 markets
- Explore betting markets and place wagers
VCT 2026 China Stage 2 Favourites
VCT China Stage 2 will feature all 12 franchised teams and two additional teams from the Chinese National Tournament.
And while the same names which competed in Stage 1 are back, the changes across most rosters have added a breath of fresh air and a layer of excitement to the league.
Even with all the roster changes, the balance of power in VCT China hasn’t changed much, with the usual suspects sitting atop the power rankings.
EDward Gaming head into VCT China Stage 2 as the team to beat, having established themselves as the league’s top team this season. They kicked off the year with a third-place finish in the Kickoff event, to which they added a gold medal from Stage 1 and a third-place finish in the recent VALORANT Masters London.
As the most successful Chinese team of the year, EDward Gaming have nothing more to prove, but with several other dangerous outsiders entering the title race, their job is far from done.
VCT China Stage 1 runners-up, XLG Esports, are viewed as a serious threat for the Stage 2 trophy, having established themselves as one of the region’s most consistent teams.
They won silver medals from VCT Kickoff and Stage 1, and then produced a solid run at VALORANT Masters London, ending the event in fifth-sixth place. While not as successful as EDG, XLG are up there with the defending champions, and not a team that should be ignored.
All Gamers and Dragon Ranger Gaming round up a small list of serious title candidates, both having shown good things this season. Dragon Ranger Gaming, in particular, played well in Stage 1, ending the league in third place.
Meanwhile, All Gamers had to settle for a fourth-place finish, but they had previously won VCT China Kickoff and placed third in VALORANT China Evolution Series 2026 Act 2.
Bilibili Gaming deserve a mention too, as a team who have had their moments, but never truly broke into the elite few. With a fourth-place finish in China Kickoff and ninth-10th in Stage 1, BLG have a lot more to prove.
VCT 2026 China Stage 2 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| EDward Gaming | 2.62 |
| XLG Esports | 4.50 |
| All Gamers | 8.00 |
| Dragon Ranger Gaming | 8.00 |
| Bilibili Gaming | 10.00 |
| TYLOO | 12.00 |
| Trace Esports | 15.00 |
| JD Gaming | 21.00 |
| Titan Esports Club | 34.00 |
| FunPlus Phoenix | 41.00 |
| Wolves Esports | 41.00 |
| Any Challenger Team | 51.00 |
| NOVA Esports | 67.00 |
VCT 2026 China Stage 2 FAQ
- When is the VCT 2026 China Stage 2?
VCT China Stage 2 is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The stage will run for nearly two months and conclude with the grand finals on August 23.
- Who are the favourites to win the VCT 2026 China Stage 2?
The defending champions, EDward Gaming, are billed as the main favourites to win VCT China Stage 2. Close behind are XLG Esports, Dragon Ranger Gaming, and All Gamers, who are viewed as a serious threat for the Stage 2 title.
- Where can I find betting odds for the VCT 2026 China Stage 2?
Betting odds for VCT China Stage 2 are available on all major online betting sites, ensuring that esports fans do not have to look far to find a platform to place their bets. While there are many options to choose from, Stake stands out as one of the most popular, offering competitive odds and excellent market coverage.