Game publisher Riot Games has officially announced the partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation, the company behind the Esports World Cup.
According to a release, the deal will see Riot Games’ three flagship titles — League of Legends, VALORANT and Teamfight Tactics — be added to the Esports World Cup for the next three years.
In addition to adding three competitions to the EWC, the partnership includes a global commercial campaign with Riot Games’ top competitive leagues across its three competitive circuits.
Esports World Cup in-broadcast activations will be added to LoL Esports, VCT, and TFT global LAN events, starting with VCT Masters in Bangkok later this month. Last year, the game was not featured due to the colliding schedules with the VCT circuit. In a release, it was confirmed that the VALORANT EWC tournament won’t be connected to the current VCT structure.
While League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics were already featured in last year’s Esports World Cup, VALORANT is the latest addition to the pool of game titles, which now counts 23 tournaments in 22 games. The prize pool and format for the three competitions have yet to be announced.
Since its launch, the Esports World Cup has been criticised by sections of the esports community due to the backing of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, and the discussions surrounding the country’s human rights record.
Previously, Riot Games faced criticism when it was involved with Saudi Arabia. In 2020, the LEC had to cancel a partnership with the Saudi Arabian mega project NEOM, following major backlash from the community.
“Riot Games has shaped the cultural impact of competitive gaming, transforming esports into a global entertainment force,” commented: Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at Esports World Cup Foundation.
“With League of Legends’ iconic World Championship – which continues to set new standards for immersive experiences, VALORANT’s cultural collaborations, and Teamfight Tactics’ community-driven events, Riot has pioneered an ecosystem far beyond the competition. By bringing these titles to the Esports World Cup, we are not just celebrating elite gameplay – we are, together, expanding esports as a global entertainment movement, creating deeper connections with fans across gaming, music, and digital culture.”
