LOUD beat Paper Rex 2-0 in the opening round of the VALORANT Champions 2026 playoffs in Shanghai on October 7, Esports.gg reported, recovering from halftime deficits on both maps. The result sent the Brazilian side into the next round of the bracket and eliminated Paper Rex from the tournament.
Paper Rex picked Split and started the map well before LOUD closed it out, according to Esports.gg. On Sunset, LOUD led early before Paper Rex built a commanding lead on defense; LOUD then won a pistol round and converted the bonus round that followed to complete the comeback and take the series.
LOUD reached the playoffs by beating Global Esports in a group-stage decider, a match Esports.gg described as a tight series against one of the tournament's favorites. A single series loss in the group stage had forced LOUD into that decider.
Champions Shanghai is the last international event of the 2026 VCT season, according to Esports.gg. The tournament is split between two venues and brings together the top teams from the four international leagues to decide the world championship. The loss ended Paper Rex's run at the event, and with it the team's 2026 international campaign.
