100 Thieves lift first VALORANT title at Esports World Cup 2026
Comeback victory seals $600,000 prize and 1,000 points
PARIS – 100 Thieves claimed the VALORANT title at the Esports World Cup 2026 after defeating local rivals and reigning Champions winners NRG Esports 3-1 in the grand final.
The victory earned the team the $600,000 first-place prize along with 1,000 Club Championship points. It also marked a landmark moment for Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk, who lifted his first major international trophy after more than five years representing the organisation.
The triumph is a significant milestone for Asuna, who joined 100 Thieves at the age of 17 and has spent almost his entire professional VALORANT career with the club. After years of competing on the international stage, the rebuilt roster, strengthened by promising rookies, finally delivered the breakthrough success he had been chasing.
"We have an amazing coaching staff, an amazing in-game leader, and we just meshed really well, and it took us a while to get going, but I'm glad we hit our peak right at the right time," said Asuna.
Grand final
100 Thieves secured the championship in dramatic fashion, overcoming fellow VCT Americas side NRG Esports in overtime on the fourth map of the best-of-five series. After comfortably taking the opening two maps, 100 Thieves looked set for a straightforward victory before NRG responded by winning Haven.
NRG then raced into a commanding 9-3 lead on Ascent, appearing well placed to force a deciding fifth map. However, 100 Thieves mounted an impressive comeback under rookie in-game leader Jordan "vora" Pulwer, forcing overtime before sealing a 14-12 victory to complete the 3-1 series win.
"It's amazing. I'm glad my team had so much confidence in me, my team, my coaches, my boys. I wouldn't be able to do this without their trust and I'm so happy that we're here today in front of all of these people to show we're a good-ass team," said vora.
Tournament run
The champions began their campaign in the group stage, where two victories secured a place in the playoffs. They then defeated the star-studded MIBR.LOS in the quarter-finals before overcoming Masters Santiago winners Nongshim RedForce in the semi-finals to reach the title decider.
Matthew "Cryocells" Panganiban was named Sony MVP after an outstanding tournament, highlighted by a remarkable performance in the final that included 65 kills and 25 assists against NRG.
"It feels really good, I still feel like I didn't perform to my own expectations, but it's been so long that I haven't won a trophy yet, and I had many doubts throughout my career, but at the end of the day, never stop believing in yourself and the people around you," Cryocells said after receiving the MVP award.
Earlier in the day, Nongshim RedForce, the only Pacific region team to reach the playoffs, secured third place by defeating BBL Esports in two closely contested matches. Although BBL finished fourth, the team impressed fans throughout the tournament, with 18-year-old Yusuf "Lar0k" Kanber delivering a series of standout performances that highlighted his growing potential on the international stage.