Valorant Champions from around the globe are converging in Paris, and that means Pick’Ems season is back, but bigger and better than ever. Champions Paris 2025 introduces a new competitive layer with Factions, creator-led leaderboards, and fresh rewards that will have fans strategizing like pros.
Key Dates & Format
- Group Stage Pick’Ems runs from September 4 (9 AM PT) to September 12 at 6:20 AM PT, locking in right before groups begin.
- Playoff Pick’Ems opens September 22 (expected around 6 PM PT after schedule release) and locks September 25 at 6:20 AM PT.
The structure mirrors the tournament itself: predict who advances from the Group Stage (Sept 12-22) in a four group double elimination format, and then forecast the Playoffs (Sept 25-Oct 5), a double elimination bracket that ramps to Bo5 Grand Final.
What’s New: Pick’Ems Factions
For the first time, Pick’Ems lets you join Factions, creator-led teams that merge your picks with a community leaderboard. Choose one of ten Factions, and if your squad performs best overall, the creator gets “The Belt” and you earn their exclusive in-game reward.
The Factions include:
- zZzZzombiezZzZz (TenZ) – Pay Respects gun buddy
- Bonjour Bébé (tarik) – Lovebyte gun buddy
- Careca Club (Sacy) – Wayfinder card
- NICE ONES (lazvell) – Bruno Coin spray
- wipstiti (WiPR) – Runnin’ on Empty spray
- Urus Gang (Helydia) – Sic’Em spray
- Los Tiranos (Mixwell) – Bust a Move spray
- Ratatuile Radiant (TCK) – Knight’s Market gun buddy
- BeyAz Army (beyAz) – Hang Time gun buddy
- Mandatory (ZeratoR) – Justice Served gun buddy.
Once you’ve joined a Faction, only the top 75% of members contribute to its average score, so your predictions matter not just personally, but for the collective as well.
Pick’Ems Rewards You Don’t Want to Miss
Pick’Ems standalone rewards include:
- ¡Eureka! (Tejo) spray for participating in either phase.
- G.O.A.T. gun buddy for finishing in the top 50%.
- Golden G.O.A.T. gun buddy for the top 20%.
- The coveted “100%” title for perfect predictions across both stages.
Watch to earn Drops also invite engagement:
- Title “OUI, CHEF” for watching any match between Sept 12-29.
- Spray “Loaded Baguette” for tuning in on Oct 3 or 4.
- Player Card “Restricted Zone: Paris” for watching the Grand Final on Oct 5.
Tips to Ace Your Pick’Ems
- Join early, pick wisely: Align with a Faction whose creator resonates with your knowledge or style.
- Balance risk vs reward: Choose consistent teams for early points, then swing risky picks in bracket for maximum impact.
- Track meta and form global: Keep an eye on recent tournaments like Masters Toronto (Paper Rex won) to inform sleeper picks.
- Use Drops as backup: Even if your picks don’t land, you can still snag live drops as long as you’re watching.
- Engage socially: Compare picks, debate strategies, and ride the hype wave. Pick’Ems is as much about community as competition.
- If unsure, fall back on safe picks: check the Global Ranking and choose the higher ranked teams if you’re not sure how a team is performing lately.
Our Pick’ems Predictions
The biggest Valorant tournament of the year is finally here. Champions 2025 lands in Paris with 16 of the world’s best teams battling for the crown. The group stage will see only two teams from each group move on to Playoffs, while the other two will be eliminated. With so much talent and storylines converging, here are our pick’ems predictions for who survives groups and who falls short.
Group A Predictions (PRX, Sentinels, Giants, XLG Esports)
Advancing:
- Paper Rex (PRX) – Masters champions and tournament favorites, their fearless style should overwhelm this group.
- Sentinels (SEN) – Back in form with consistency and star power, strong candidates to join PRX in playoffs.
Eliminated:
- Giants (GX) – Talented but inconsistent, and lacking LAN pedigree to beat top-tier teams.
- XLG Esports (XLG) – Solid domestically, but international inexperience makes them underdogs here.
Group B Predictions (RRQ, Bilibili Gaming, MIBR, Fnatic)
Advancing:
- Fnatic (FNC) – Proven pedigree, experience, and consistency make them the safest bet.
- Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ) – Dark horse with strong Pacific form, capable of surprising bigger names.
Eliminated:
- Bilibili Gaming (BLG) – Powerful regionally, but lack international experience to secure top 2.
- MIBR – Skilled roster but unlikely to match the depth of this stacked group.
Group C Predictions (Team Liquid, NRG, EDward Gaming, DRX)
Advancing:
- Team Liquid (TL) – EMEA champions with discipline and clutch ability to survive the “group of death.”
- NRG Esports (NRG) – International experience and adaptability should carry them through.
Eliminated:
- EDward Gaming (EDG) – Dangerous but too inconsistent compared to TL and NRG.
- DRX – Still strong, but a tough group and recent struggles make advancing unlikely.
Group D Predictions (G2 Esports, T1, Team Heretics, Dragon Ranger Gaming)
Advancing:
- G2 Esports (G2) – Dominant 2025 run makes them heavy favorites to top this group.
- Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) – Dark horse from China, unpredictable and hungry for upsets.
Eliminated:
- T1 – Masters winners earlier this year, but inconsistency could cost them in groups.
- Team Heretics (TH) – Respectable regionally but outgunned against stronger opponents here.
Final Thoughts
Paris is about to host some of the fiercest matches Valorant has ever seen. Our safe bets like PRX, Fnatic, TL, and G2 look set to push deep, but keep an eye on dark horses like RRQ and DRG who could shake up the bracket. With every region represented, the group stage promises upsets, heartbreak, and the rise of new contenders. The road to the Champions trophy begins now.
An exciting year for Valorant Pick’ems
Valorant Champions Paris 2025 Pick’Ems is more than a prediction game. it’s a blend of competitive insight, creator communities, and exclusive rewards. Whether you’re aiming for the “100%” title, going all in on a Faction, or just in it for the drops, this season’s Pick’Ems offers layers of excitement at every turn.
Lock in your picks, rep your favorite creator, and get ready to ride Paris all the way to the world champion.
