Summary
✓Reviewed by Emma Thompson Global Esports defeated Nongshim RedForce 3-2 in a historic reverse sweep on September 6, 2026, to claim the VCT Pacific Stage 2 championship at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan, South Korea. The Indian-founded organisation became the...
Table of contents
Global Esports defeated Nongshim RedForce 3-2 in a historic reverse sweep on September 6, 2026, to claim the VCT Pacific Stage 2 championship at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan, South Korea. The Indian-founded organisation became the first team from South Asia to win a VCT Pacific title, earning $100,000 in prize money and a direct qualification spot at VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai.
The victory marks a landmark moment for the Pacific VALORANT scene. Global Esports trailed 0-2 in the best-of-five grand final before winning three consecutive maps to complete the comeback — one of the most dramatic finishes in VCT Pacific history.
How the Grand Final Unfolded
Nongshim RedForce came out strong in the September 6 grand final, taking Sunset 13-11 in a tight opener and then dominating Split 13-2 to move within one map of the title. The Korean roster appeared to be in full control as the Busan crowd rallied behind them at the sold-out Sajik Indoor Gymnasium.
Global Esports responded on Abyss, their own map pick, winning it 13-10 to pull one map back. They then levelled the series on Lotus with a commanding 13-5 performance that shifted the momentum decisively. On the decider, Haven, Global Esports closed out the championship 13-10, completing the reverse sweep and setting off celebrations on stage, as reported by TalkEsport.
Map-by-Map Breakdown
| Map | Nongshim RedForce | Global Esports | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset | 13 | 11 | Nongshim RedForce |
| Split | 13 | 2 | Nongshim RedForce |
| Abyss | 10 | 13 | Global Esports |
| Lotus | 5 | 13 | Global Esports |
| Haven | 10 | 13 | Global Esports |
First VCT Pacific Title for an Indian-Founded Organisation
Global Esports, founded in India and competing in the VALORANT Champions Tour’s Pacific league since its inception, had never previously won a Pacific championship. The organisation’s official website described the result as a defining achievement: “GE beat Nongshim RedForce 3-2 in a reverse sweep to win VCT 2026 Pacific Stage 2 — down 0-2, they won three straight to close it out on Haven in Busan,” according to the team’s announcement.
The win adds to what has been a breakout year for the roster. Global Esports also recorded a 4-1 run at Masters London earlier in the 2026 VCT season, establishing themselves as genuine contenders in a region traditionally dominated by Korean and Southeast Asian teams such as T1, DRX, and Paper Rex.
Road to the Grand Final
The VCT Pacific Stage 2 playoffs ran from August 27 to September 6 at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan, featuring a double-elimination bracket. Global Esports reached the grand final through the lower bracket after losing their upper bracket final. On September 5, Global Esports defeated T1 3-1 in the lower bracket final to set up a rematch with Nongshim RedForce in the grand final the following day.
Nongshim RedForce had earned the upper bracket advantage, meaning Global Esports needed to beat them in a single best-of-five with no second chance — making the reverse sweep from 0-2 down all the more significant. As SportsAdda noted, “Global Esports were two maps down in the VCT Pacific Stage 2 grand final on Sunday, and one of those maps was a 13-2 loss.”
Prize Pool and Standings
The VCT Pacific Stage 2 carried a total prize pool of $250,000. Global Esports took home $100,000 as champions, while Nongshim RedForce earned $65,000 as runners-up. Both teams secured direct qualification to VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai, scheduled for September 24 to October 11, 2026.
| Placement | Prize (USD) | Champions Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1st — Global Esports | $100,000 | Yes — Direct |
| 2nd — Nongshim RedForce | $65,000 | Yes — Direct |
| 3rd | $40,000 | No |
| 4th | $25,000 | No |
| 5th–6th | $10,000 | No |
What This Means for Champions Shanghai
Global Esports will enter VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai as the Pacific region’s first seed. According to VLR.gg’s event page, Global Esports have been drawn into Group B alongside Team Vitality and LOUD, with the group stage beginning on September 24. The broader 2026 esports calendar has been packed with major events, and Champions Shanghai will serve as the culminating tournament of the VALORANT Champions Tour season.
The Shanghai event will bring together qualified teams from the Pacific, Americas, EMEA, and China regions. For Global Esports, it represents the biggest stage the organisation has ever competed on as a regional champion, and a chance to prove their reverse sweep in Busan was no fluke.
Significance for VALORANT Esports in the Pacific
The result carries particular weight across South and Southeast Asia, where esports has been growing rapidly as both a spectator sport and an economic force. Singapore formally recognised esports as a sport in January 2026 following the passing of a parliamentary bill, and the Singapore esports ecosystem has continued to expand with new training facilities and government-backed initiatives.
Global Esports’ title run demonstrates that teams from outside the traditional Korean powerhouse structure can compete at the highest level of Pacific VALORANT. The organisation’s journey from South Asian qualifier to Pacific champion reflects the deepening talent pool across the region and the increasing investment in competitive infrastructure.
What to Watch Next
All eyes now turn to Shanghai, where Global Esports will face international competition starting September 24. The team’s reverse sweep ability and mental resilience under pressure will be tested against the best rosters from every VALORANT region. For fans in Singapore and across the Pacific, Global Esports’ run in Busan has set high expectations heading into the biggest tournament of the year.
VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai will run from September 24 through October 11, with matches beginning daily at 5:00 PM local time, according to the Shanghai municipal government’s official events page. Tickets went on sale in late August, and the event is expected to draw significant international viewership as the season-ending championship.
