VALORANT Masters Santiago Enters Final Bracket Stages as NRG and Nongshim RedForce Lead Playoff Charge

VALORANT Masters Santiago reaches the final weekend. NRG, Nongshim RedForce, Paper Rex, and G2 Esports battle for the 2026 VCT season's first major trophy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 8:24 AM EDT

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

The Final Four Emerges in Santiago

The VALORANT Masters Santiago tournament has reached a pivotal hiatus following a high-octane Playoff Stage at Espacio Riesco. After nearly two weeks of competition that began with a grueling Swiss Stage, the field of twelve international contenders has been narrowed to just four elite squads. As of March 11, the tournament is observing a scheduled two day break before resuming for the final weekend of play. The remaining teams are now preparing for a series of high stakes matches that will determine not only the lion's share of the $1,000,000 prize pool but also crucial Championship Points toward the year end global standings.

Upper Bracket Dominance by NRG and Nongshim

The path to the Grand Final has been paved by the exceptional performances of North American powerhouse NRG and Pacific representatives Nongshim RedForce. NRG secured its place in the Upper Final after a disciplined 2-0 victory over Paper Rex, showcasing a tactical depth that has made them the favorites of many analysts. They are slated to face Nongshim RedForce, who earned their spot by overcoming G2 Esports in a tense 2-1 series. This upcoming matchup represents a clash of regional philosophies, pitting the structured utility usage of the Americas against the aggressive, fast paced execution often seen in the Pacific league.

Survival Battles in the Lower Bracket

While two teams look toward a direct route to the trophy, Paper Rex and G2 Esports must navigate the treacherous Lower Bracket to keep their championship hopes alive. Paper Rex stayed in the competition by eliminating All Gamers in a 2-1 series that highlighted their resilience on the map Split. Similarly, G2 Esports bounced back from their Upper Semifinal loss by sweeping BBL Esports with a convincing 2-0 scoreline. Both teams will face off on Friday, March 13, in a match where the loser will be eliminated in fourth place, while the winner moves on to the Lower Bracket Final for a chance at redemption.