Valorant Champions 2025, the final event of the year’s Valorant esports season, has concluded in Paris with NRG claiming the title after a 3-2 victory over Fnatic in the grand final. The event at the Accor Arena was packed with fans, and the livestream drew impressive numbers, peaking at over 1.47 million concurrent viewers according to preliminary reports from Esports Charts
Pro players mention in the article
Ethan “Ethan” Arnold – NRG
- 1st place VALORANT Champions 2025
- 2nd place VCT 2025: Americas Stage 2
- 1st place VALORANT Champions 2023
Brock “brawk” Somerhalder – NRG
- 1st place VALORANT Champions 2025
- 2nd place VCT 2025: Americas Stage 2
- 1st place VALORANT Challengers 2025 North America: Stage 1
Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski – FNC
- 2nd place VALORANT Champions 2025
- 5th place VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2
- 2nd place VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025
Austin “crashies” Roberts – FNC
- 2nd place VALORANT Champions 2025
- 2nd place Esports World Cup 2025
- 2nd place VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025
Tournament Overview
Heading into the tournament, few analysts expected NRG to win. Only 3.9 percent of Pick’Em predicted them as champions. The team had a modest track record internationally, never finishing in the top three, except for team captain Ethan Arnold, who previously won VALORANT Champions 2023 with Evil Geniuses
During the group stage, NRG topped their group after victories against EDward Gaming and DRX. In the playoffs, they defeated GIANTX, won a tough overtime match against MIBR, and then took down Fnatic in both the upper bracket final and the grand final to secure the championship. Ethan Arnold became the first player in VALORANT Champions history to lift the trophy twice with two different teams
Key Highlights
Ethan Arnold of NRG displayed exceptional gameplay, particularly on Sunset, controlling rounds and making crucial plays that set the tone for the finals. Brawk contributed with aggressive entries and wallbanging, allowing NRG to dominate map control. Fnatic’s Kaajak and Crashies performed well under pressure, but NRG’s pace and strategy ultimately overcame their opponents
Sunset proved to be a decisive map. NRG adapted their tempo, gaining early map control and punishing slower rotations from Fnatic. Across Ascent and Abyss, NRG demonstrated strong teamwork, utility management, and clutch plays, consistently leveraging map knowledge and coordination to secure rounds
Performance Across the Series
The finals were closely contested with several maps featuring tight rounds and high-level tactical plays. Fnatic remained resilient, but NRG’s coordination, adaptability, and clutch plays gave them the edge. Critical moments included afterplant control, default positioning, and smart use of abilities to suppress Fnatic’s options
NRG’s roster synergy allowed them to dominate while leveraging each agent’s strengths and adapting dynamically to Fnatic’s strategies. Individual performances from Arnold and Brawk stood out, but it was the teamwork, strategy, and map knowledge that ultimately secured the championship
Event Atmosphere and Viewership
The organizers created an engaging experience with a musical opening ceremony and a striking stage setup. Riot Games revealed the new agent Veto ahead of the grand final, scheduled for in-game release on October 7
You can read more about the new Valorant agent Veto here
Despite the packed arena, the tournament struggled to attract certain international viewers. The grand final occurred around 4 a.m. in Los Angeles, limiting North American viewership, while fans in China and the Pacific regions had no local teams in the final
NRG’s victory at Valorant Champions 2025 demonstrates their skill, coordination, and resilience. With Ethan Arnold leading the team and key performances from Brawk, NRG successfully executed strategies and map control across multiple maps, cementing their place as a top-tier Valorant team
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