Popular Valorant markets
Match & map winnerSeries and individual maps.
Map handicap−1.5 / +1.5 maps.
Round handicapSpread in rounds on a map.
Total roundsOver/under rounds, overtime included.
Pistol roundsFirst round of each half.
How Valorant betting works
Maps are first to 13 rounds, with overtime at 12–12. Markets include map winners, round handicaps, total rounds and pistol rounds — see Valorant pistol rounds and round totals.
VCT Champions 2026
The season finale, VCT Champions, ran in Shanghai from 24 September to 18 October 2026, with 16 teams and a $2.25 million prize pool. LOUD won the title, beating Team Vitality 3–1 in the grand final, and became the first organisation to win Champions twice (see our report). NRG were the defending champions. Earlier in the summer, 100 Thieves won the Esports World Cup Valorant event, beating NRG 3–1.
Valorant betting markets explained
| Market | Example | What decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Match winner | Fnatic 1.55 | Who wins the series |
| Map handicap | −1.5 maps | Clean sweep in a Bo3 |
| Round handicap | +2.5 rounds on Ascent | Margin in rounds on a map |
| Total rounds | Over 22.5 rounds | Overtime counts |
| Pistol round | Round 1 or 13 winner | First round of each half |
| Map winner | Map 2 | One map only |
| Correct score | 2–1 | The exact series result |
| Outrights | VCT Champions winner | Tournament winner |
Format and scoring
- Maps are first to 13 rounds; at 12–12, overtime continues until a team leads by two.
- Most VCT matches are Bo3, with Bo5 finals.
- Teams switch sides after round 12; pistol rounds (1 and 13) shape the next few rounds' economy.
- The VCT is split into four international leagues — Americas, EMEA, Pacific and China — feeding two Masters events and Champions.
Valorant betting tips
- Map pool matters — teams have very different win rates by map; check them on VLR.gg.
- Agent changes in a patch can hurt specialist players.
- Round totals go over more often between evenly matched teams.
- Upsets are common in Bo1s — keep stakes small.
Where to bet
bet365, Betway, GG.BET, Polymarket. Stats: VLR.gg — see reading esports stats.
Play responsibly Valorant maps can swing wildly. Keep stakes small on round and pistol markets. Responsible gambling help
