The VCT Masters Shanghai Playoff bracket

The top eight teams of VCT Masters Shanghai have been confirmed following the conclusion of the Swiss Stage.

The live draw for the VCT Masters Shanghai playoffs has just been finalised following the conclusion of the Swiss Stage. The top four-seeded teams already in the playoffs drew the teams from the Swiss Stage they would want to play, and it is as follows:

Thursday, May 30th:

1. 100 Thieves vs FUT Esports - 4:00 p.m. GMT +8
2. Fnatic vs Gen.G Esports - 7:00 p.m. GMT +8

Friday, May 31st:

1. Paper Rex vs G2 Esports - 4:00 p.m. GMT +8
2. EDward Gaming vs Team Heretics - 7:00 p.m. GMT +8

Despite hosting a VCT Masters event for the first time, only one Chinese team left in the tournament with all hopes riding on EDward Gaming. Being VCT China's number one seed, EDG chose Heretics as the EMEA team was responsible for eliminating their fellow compatriots, FunPlus Phoenix and Dragon Ranger Gaming.

This is also the first international VCT event that has featured three EMEA teams in the playoffs since Champions 2022, which will also be a welcome back to Fnatic. Having won VCT LOCK//IN and Masters Tokyo last season, Fnatic failed to qualify for Masters Madrid earlier this year after a disastrous start during the EMEA Kickoff. However, they are back now and as the region's number one seed as they prepare to go up against Gen.G Esports.

Coming in as the first runner-up during the last VCT Masters event, Gen.G looked vulnerable during the Pacific Kickoff and during the Swiss Stage of Masters Shanghai. While they still walked away with two straight victories, teams have shown you can take the fight to them. As Fnatic were the last team drawn to pick its opponents, they were left with Gen.G after 100 Thieves chose FUT Esports.

As for VCT Americas, they will be disappointed to give the EU the upper hand after FUT eliminated Leviatán earlier today. With the traditional ‘NA vs EU’ rivalry in full effect, it will be interesting to see which teams will make their way to the grand finals.

VCT Masters Shanghai - Playoff Bracket

The playoffs will be a double-elimination bracket with all matches being a best-of-three series, except for the lower bracket final and the grand finals, which will be a best-of-five. The four teams from the Swiss Stage will now have a two-day break before the tournament resumes on May 30th until June 9th.

The schedule for the playoffs will be determined at a later date.