Riot Games expands Esports World Cup partnership to include VALORANT
Photo from Riot Games
Riot Games expands Esports World Cup partnership to include VALORANT
Riot Games is doubling down on its collaboration with the Esports World Cup (EWC), officially granting a three-year license for League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and, for the first time, VALORANT.
This expanded partnership aims to provide more opportunities for pro players and teams while reinforcing Riot’s commitment to the global esports ecosystem.
EWC gains VALORANT, expands Riot Esports presence
Following the success of last year’s event, Riot Games has decided to renew and expand its EWC partnership. The tournament will now feature VALORANT, alongside League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics, giving players and teams another major international stage to compete on.
As part of this deal, limited advertisements for the EWC will be integrated into Riot’s global tournaments, beginning with VALORANT Masters Bangkok. This includes sponsor placements similar to those from other global esports partners, such as rotating logos during gameplay and video ads between matches.
Cashing in on the esports scene’s popularity
Riot’s decision to continue its involvement with the EWC stems from overwhelmingly positive feedback from teams and players who participated last year.
“The feedback we got from players and teams who participated last year was positive. The event’s significant prize pool offered crucial financial support for them, providing stability at a time when many esports organizations were working toward a stronger future,” Riot Games explained.
With VALORANT experiencing explosive growth, Riot saw an opportunity to expand the tournament’s reach and bring global VALORANT events to new regions.
“By expanding our licenses for the EWC, we’re creating more opportunities for players and teams across all three games to compete on a big stage and grow their profiles,” Riot stated.
Riot have noted that participation in the EWC remains entirely optional for teams, pros, talent, and content creators. The company implied “that choice has no impact whatsoever on their relationship with Riot and their role in our official events.”
Growing the Esports Ecosystem
Beyond the EWC, Riot remains committed to fostering third-party tournaments around the world. Expanding the global competitive calendar ensures that there are meaningful matches year-round, while also giving rising talent and tier-two teams a shot at proving themselves on the big stage.
“Moving forward, we’ll continue to open the door for more third-party tournaments worldwide, complementing our existing global schedule. We’ll also actively promote these events to ensure you don’t miss out on great competitions,” Riot added.
The company also added that such partnerships allow them to continue evolving be even more competitive.
“Support from sponsors and licensing allows us to continue investing at that high level – not only to sustain esports, but to keep evolving to make sure it remains exciting, competitive, and rewarding for years to come,” Riot Games stated.
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