Quick Answer
VALORANT Champions 2026 will take place in Shanghai from September 24 to October 18, bringing the 2026 VCT season to a close. As in previous years, the annual championship will also come with a special commemorative skin bundle. According to leaks, the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle is expected to be released on September 23, 2026, one day before VALORANT Champions 2026 officially begins.
The 2026 VCT season is entering its final stretch, with VALORANT Champions 2026 set to bring the year’s biggest international competition to a close. While fans are waiting to see which team will lift the trophy, many players are also looking forward to another annual tradition: the VALORANT Champions Bundle.
Riot Games has not officially revealed the full VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle yet. However, based on previous Champions bundles, current leaks, and early speculation, we already have a good idea of what to expect. This guide covers the possible Champions-exclusive weapon skins, melee weapon, cosmetic accessories, expected release date, and other details surrounding the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle.
If you are also saving up VP in advance for the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle, you can buy VALORANT Points on GamsGo and prepare the VP you need before the Champions bundle goes on sale.

VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle Weapon: Phantom
Riot has alternated between a Vandal and a Phantom for the Champions collection nearly every year. Since the 2025 bundle featured a Vandal, the community consensus is that 2026 will bring back the Phantom.
An early leaked promotional image reportedly showed a black-and-gold weapon skin with glowing red accents, matching the classic Champions color palette.

The most recent leak also adds a couple of specifics: the Phantom is said to have 4 upgrade levels, and unlike some past collections, this year's set reportedly won't include color variants or a second weapon option — just the one Phantom.
Looking at the previous Champions Bundles makes the pattern much easier to see:
| Year | Weapon Skin | Melee Weapon | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Vandal | Karambit | |
| 2022 | Phantom | Butterfly Knife | |
| 2023 | Vandal | Kunai | |
| 2024 | Phantom | Katana | |
| 2025 | Vandal | Butterfly Knife |
The weapon pattern is especially clear: Vandal and Phantom have alternated every year for five consecutive Champions Bundles. That is why the Phantom is currently one of the least controversial predictions for the VALORANT Champions 2026 skin bundle. If Riot follows the same pattern again, 2026 should be the Phantom’s turn.
If you want to compare the expected Champions design with other popular collections, see our guide to the best VALORANT skins.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Knife: What We Know About the Melee Skin
Quick answer: The Champions 2026 melee hasn't been confirmed as a traditional knife shape yet — leaks are split between a folding-fan design and a dual-blade "chain" style, both wrapped in the usual gold-and-black Champions aura. No official reveal has happened as of this writing.
One quick disambiguation, since this trips a lot of people up: this is not the same as the VCT 2026 Sigil knife from the Season Capsule, which already released back in February. The Champions melee is a separate, event-specific item tied to the September/October tournament in Shanghai, and it's expected to be priced and sold on its own bundle cycle, not the Season Capsule one.
As for the design itself, nobody has landed on a consistent answer. Some leaks point to a fan-shaped melee with a possible Shanghai-inspired look, which would make thematic sense given the host city. A separate and more talked-about theory suggests Riot might reuse the animation style from the popular Kuronami dual-blade melee, dressed up in the Champions color scheme. Neither has been confirmed, so it's worth waiting for an official trailer before getting attached to either version.
The newest leak also puts a number on it: the melee is said to have 3 upgrade levels, one fewer than the Phantom, which would be consistent with how past Champions collections have tiered their weapon vs. melee progression.
Champions melees have historically been the most sought-after item in the bundle — they carry the Champions Aura, a glow that activates for the top fragger in a match, and in past years have featured unique finishers and kill VFX. Accounts with a past Champions knife already unlocked may also attract more interest from players looking for limited cosmetics.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Flex: Could It Be a Champions Trophy?
The Flex cosmetic category was first introduced with the 2025 Champions Bundle. According to the latest leaks, the 2026 version may be redesigned to resemble the physical VCT Champions trophy.
This detail has already received a lot of positive attention from skin collectors. If the leak is accurate, it could become one of the few Flex cosmetics in VALORANT with a simple, instantly recognizable design that still feels genuinely satisfying to own.
How Much Does the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle Cost?
Champions collections have gotten more expensive as Riot has added more items to them over time:
| Year | Price (VP) | Flex Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Champions 2021 | Approx. 6,264 VP | No |
| Champions 2022 | Approx. 6,167 VP | No |
| Champions 2023 | Approx. 6,167 VP | No |
| Champions 2024 | Approx. 6,167 VP | No |
| Champions 2025 | Approx. 6,620–6,700 VP | Yes — Flex introduced for the first time |
| Champions 2026 (expected) | Approx. 6,100–6,600 VP | Likely, if the 2025 format continues |
Planning your VP budget? Once Riot confirms the bundle’s final price, you can buy VALORANT Points in advance and have your balance ready before the collection enters the store.
Historically, Champions skins can't be bought piece by piece — you have to unlock the full bundle to get any single item, which is part of why players tend to plan their VP balance ahead of time rather than buying VP at the last minute.
As with past years, Riot has said a portion of the bundle's proceeds — reportedly 50% based on the leaked promo material — will be shared with the participating VCT teams, similar to how the Team Capsules and Season Capsule already work this season.
VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle vs Team Capsule: Which Should You Buy?
The VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle and the Team Capsules released earlier in the VCT season are two completely separate skin collections. They may both be tied to VALORANT esports, but they represent different things.
- Team Capsule: Each capsule represents a specific VCT team, such as EDG or Fnatic. Its colors, logo, and overall design are built around that team’s identity, making it the better choice if you want to support your favorite team.
- Champions Bundle: The Champions collection represents the VCT season’s biggest international tournament rather than any individual team. The Champions 2026 VALORANT skins follow the tournament’s annual Champions theme and are designed as commemorative cosmetics for the world championship.
If you are deciding between them, here is a simple way to choose:
| What You Want | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| You have a favorite VCT team and want to show your support | Team Capsule |
| You care more about the limited annual Champions theme and its commemorative value | VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle |
| You want both collections | Budget for them separately, since each requires its own VP purchase |
Buying a Team Capsule does not unlock any VALORANT Champions 2026 content, and purchasing the Champions Bundle does not include Team Capsule skins. The two collections are sold separately, so make sure to calculate the VP needed for each before buying.
For players mainly interested in a limited Champions 2026 VALORANT skin with a stronger connection to the season-ending world championship, the Champions Bundle is likely the better choice. If supporting a specific VCT team matters more to you, a Team Capsule makes more sense.
Can You Buy VALORANT Champions 2026 Skins Separately?
Besides the release date, there are two other questions many players care about: Can you buy individual items from the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle, or do you have to purchase the full bundle? And if you miss it this time, will the Champions skins ever come back?
Based on previous VALORANT Champions Bundles, the answer to both questions is fairly clear:
- You cannot buy the items separately: In previous Champions collections, the included weapon skin, melee weapon, Flex, player card, and other cosmetics were sold as part of the full bundle rather than as individual items. So even if you only want the melee skin, you would still need to buy the entire Champions Bundle.
- The bundle is unlikely to return: Champions Bundles are limited-time collections. Once the sales period ends, they do not normally enter the regular daily Store rotation or appear in the Night Market. Riot Games has not yet confirmed the exact rules for the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle, but based on how previous Champions collections were handled, the 2026 bundle is also likely to remain limited.
For more information about eligible offers and how the rotating store works, read our VALORANT Night Market guide. Champions skins have historically been excluded, so you should not rely on the Night Market as a way to obtain the bundle later.
That is why many longtime players prefer to have enough VP ready during the release window instead of waiting for a discount or hoping to buy the skins later. If the Champions 2026 VALORANT skins follow the same rules as previous years, the original release period may be your only chance to get them.
Conclusion: What We Know and How to Prepare
VALORANT Champions 2026 is confirmed to take place in Shanghai, but Riot has not officially revealed the accompanying skin collection yet. A Phantom remains the strongest prediction based on the previous weapon pattern, while the melee design, Flex cosmetic, exact price, and release date should still be treated as unconfirmed until Riot publishes the official trailer or store details.
If you plan to purchase the bundle, wait for the final reveal, check the complete contents, and make sure the skins and animations appeal to you before spending your VP. Preparing your balance early may be useful, but there is no need to commit before the official details are available.
Players who prefer using a redeemable code can also find VALORANT gift cards for sale. If you missed an older Champions collection and are mainly interested in previously released limited cosmetics, you can separately browse VALORANT accounts for sale.
FAQ
Is the Champions 2026 Bundle Officially Confirmed?
No. Riot has confirmed the Champions 2026 tournament location and dates, but not the skin collection itself. Everything about the weapon, melee, Flex, and price is based on leaks.
Can I Buy Individual Items from the Bundle?
Based on every previous Champions collection, no — items are sold as a full bundle only, not individually, aside from regional exceptions where bundle-only sales aren't legally permitted.
Will the Bundle Come Back Later if I Miss It?
Unlikely. Past Champions collections have not returned through the Night Market or the daily featured store once their sales window ended.
How Much VP Should I Save Up?
Based on the last two years, budgeting for roughly 6,100–6,600 VP is a reasonable estimate, though the final price will not/cannot be confirmed;]/until Riot's official reveal.
Is the Champions 2026 Knife the Same as the VCT Sigil Knife?
No. The VCT 2026 Sigil is a separate Season Capsule item that already released in February. The Champions 2026 knife is a different, tournament-specific melee tied to the September/October event, and it hasn't been officially revealed yet.
Related VALORANT Guides
- Check the latest VALORANT redeem codes and learn how available promotional codes are redeemed.
- Review the VALORANT rank system, including competitive tiers and rank progression.
This article will be updated as new leaks or official information about the VALORANT Champions 2026 Bundle become available.







