VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 Playoffs Predictions

The VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 playoffs start on March 6, with Paper Rex, G2 Esports and NRG seen as the main favourites to win the first S Tier event of the season. The playoffs are played in a double elimination bracket featuring eight teams. The winner takes home $350,000. This Masters Santiago preview covers the key tournament details and playoff predictions.

Before the start of the tournament, four main favourites were highlighted.

Three of these teams played in the group stage. Paper Rex beat both G2 and NRG in the groups. After losing to Paper Rex, both teams responded with convincing 2–0 wins against their other opponents.

NS RedForce have not yet played at this event. Their debut will be against Gentle Mates, who recorded 2–0 wins over EDward Gaming and Team Liquid in the group stage.

It would not be a big surprise if Gentle Mates win the opening match against NS RedForce and push one of the favourites into the lower bracket, where there is no more room for mistakes.

So far, no team has managed to win two VALORANT Masters tournaments in a row. Paper Rex currently looks in excellent form, which gives a reason to believe this team can make history. They have already beaten their direct rivals in the group stage, which should add even more confidence going into the playoffs.

In the first playoff match Paper Rex face FURIA and are considered clear favourites. In the second round they are likely to meet NRG, and a win there would secure a place in the Upper Bracket Final. That would give Paper Rex two separate chances to qualify for the Grand Final.

The team made one change before the 2026 season, but going into the most important matches their main strength is that the core has been playing together for several years. Paper Rex have everything needed to reach the final, where they are capable of beating any other team at this tournament.

G2 Esports is another esports team that stands out at Masters Santiago 2026. In the group stage G2 lost 0–2 to Paper Rex in their opening match but then beat XLG Esports and showed character in the decisive match against T1.

G2 Esports received a favorable playoff path. In the first round they meet All Gamers, and if they win, the next opponent will be NS RedForce or Gentle Mates. Against both teams G2 can be considered the favourite, and another win would secure a place in the Upper Bracket Final.

There is a good chance that G2 will have two opportunities to qualify for the Grand Final. The prediction is that they will eventually meet Paper Rex there. If G2 reach the final and their opponent is not Paper Rex, there is confidence that G2 can become Masters Santiago champions.

Eight teams will compete in the Masters Santiago 2026 playoffs. Gentle Mates, Paper Rex, G2 Esports and NRG reached the playoffs through the group stage. T1, Team Liquid, EDward Gaming and XLG Esports ended their tournament run in the groups.

There were no major surprises in the group stage, all of the pre-tournament favourites advanced to the playoffs.

Four more teams join the group stage qualifiers in the playoffs. FURIA, All Gamers, NS RedForce and BBL Esports had their playoff spots secured before the tournament even started.

The playoffs use a double elimination bracket, which means that every team has one loss to give before the Grand Final. Matches begin from Upper Bracket Round 1, with winners advancing to Round 2 and losers dropping to Lower Bracket Round 1.

All playoff matches are played in a BO3 format, except for the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final, which are BO5. Skirmish Side Selection is used in every playoff match except the Lower Bracket Final. The player who wins the 1v1 Skirmish gives the team the right to choose whether to be the first or second team in the map selection process.

The VALORANT Masters Santiago 2026 playoffs begin on March 6, with the Grand Final taking place on Sunday, March 15. The main playoff stages and times are listed below.

After the group stage, teams are expected to raise their level in the playoffs. Even though in a double elimination bracket every team has one loss to give, no one wants to think about that. A defeat makes the road to the final much more complicated.

When placing bets at top betting websites, it is worth being cautious with teams that skipped the group stage and went straight into the playoffs. One of the favourites, NS RedForce, immediately face a relatively strong opponent, so this team should be approached carefully in the first few matches.

Paper Rex showed from the first matches that they deserve to be named among the main favourites. The first two group stage games were very strong, and the team enters the playoffs with additional confidence.

When betting on VALORANT the playoffs, it is recommended to keep an eye on Paper Rex. As defending champions, they are capable of beating any opponent in the bracket.