Riot Games Unveils VALORANT Masters Santiago Playoff Brackets: Regional Seeds Choose High-Stakes Opening Matchups in Chile

Riot Games reveals the Masters Santiago Playoff matchups. FURIA picks Paper Rex, while All Gamers challenges G2. See the full double-elimination schedule.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 7:25 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Esports Insider

The Strategic Power of the Regional Seed Selection

The transition from the Swiss Stage to the Playoffs at VALORANT Masters Santiago has introduced a unique layer of psychological warfare. Following the final qualification of NRG and G2 Esports, Riot Games conducted a live draw where the four regional champions—Nongshim RedForce, All Gamers, FURIA, and BBL Esports—were given the authority to hand-pick their opening rivals. pool. This selection process allowed coaches to weigh historical rivalries, current form, and tactical matchups before committing to the double-elimination bracket. The result is an opening round defined by bold choices and a mix of regional favorites and global underdogs.

Nongshim RedForce and Gentle Mates: The Battle of International Debutants

The first pick of the night came from Pacific’s Nongshim RedForce, who opted to face EMEA’s Gentle Mates. Both organizations are making their debut on the global VCT stage, marking a significant milestone for the respective regions' developmental tiers. While Nongshim enters as an Ascension squad with high expectations, Gentle Mates brings a hidden edge in their IGL, Patryk ‘starxo’ Kopczyński, who famously lifted the Champions trophy in 2021. This matchup will serve as a definitive test of whether regional dominance can translate into international resilience for these rising rosters.

A Shocking Challenge: All Gamers Selects G2 Esports

In perhaps the most unexpected move of the draw, All Gamers—the sole remaining representative from the Chinese circuit—selected G2 Esports as their opening opponent. G2, a three-time VCT Americas champion, has been in pursuit of their first international title for several seasons. By choosing a high-profile Americas giant, All Gamers has signaled a "nothing to lose" mentality, betting on their ability to disrupt G2’s methodical style. For G2, the match is a dangerous hurdle; a loss to the tournament's underdog would immediately send them to the lower bracket in a high-pressure environment.