Riot Games and the Esports World Cup (Valorant EWC) have officially announced a three-year global commercial partnership that will integrate Valorant, League of Legends, and Teamfight Tactics (TFT) into the annual event until 2027. While League of Legends and TFT were already included in the competition, this marks the first time Valorant will be a part of the Esports World Cup.
What This Means for Teams and Players
The involvement of organizations such as Fnatic, Team Heretics, 100 Thieves, and Sentinels has yet to be confirmed. However, given that 100 Thieves’ founder, Nadeshot, was featured in the branding for the Esports World Cup and Valorant announcements, it is likely that they will participate. Other major teams may also join, but official confirmation is still pending.
According to the official press release, beginning with Masters Bangkok, the collaboration will feature EWC in broadcast activations at VCT and TFT global LAN events. Specific details regarding these activations remain unclear but will be revealed as the tournament progresses.
Esports World Cup 2024 and Its Impact on VCT Schedule
The Esports World Cup is an annual event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 2024 edition featured 23 events across 22 esports titles, with the addition of Valorant expanding the count to 23. The tournament is scheduled to take place between July and August, though exact dates have yet to be disclosed.
This may create scheduling conflicts with the VCT season. Stage 2 of VCT 2025 begins on July 12th and concludes with the playoffs on August 29th, while Champs 2025 is set to begin on September 12th. The overlap raises concerns about potential conflicts for teams and players, making it challenging to balance participation in both events.
Scheduling Conflicts and Valorant EWC Tournament Format
A major concern surrounding Valorant’s inclusion in the Esports World Cup is whether it will clash with the VCT schedule. The 2024 Esports World Cup ran from early July to August 25th, overlapping with Stage 2 of VCT 2025. Since Stage 2 is critical for qualification to Champs, teams may have to carefully manage their commitments.
However, based on the format of last year’s League of Legends tournament at the Esports World Cup, the Valorant event may not require extensive time. The League of Legends event featured only eight teams and was completed in four days, consisting of a single-elimination bracket with best-of-three matches leading to a best-of-five grand final. If the Valorant tournament follows a similar structure, it could conclude within a short timeframe, minimizing its impact on the VCT schedule.
Riot’s Perspective on the Esports World Cup
Riot Games has justified its participation in the Esports World Cup by emphasizing the financial benefits for teams and players. The large prize pools offer crucial financial support as esports organizations seek long-term stability. Riot has highlighted that:
- Player feedback from last year’s League of Legends tournament at EWC was positive.
- The event’s prize pool offers financial security for teams.
- The EWC allows players in the MENA region to experience high-level esports events firsthand.
- Participation in third-party events like EWC remains optional and does not impact teams’ relationships with Riot.
In the 2024 League of Legends tournament at EWC, T1 secured $400,000 in prize money, demonstrating the lucrative opportunities available. 100 Thieves and similar esports organizations may view EWC as a chance to boost revenue amid financial challenges.
