Games publisher Riot Games and financial company Mastercard have expanded their multi-year global esports partnership.
As a result, Mastercard will now support global events on the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), in addition to League of Legends esports.
Mastercard’s logo has already become a part of the ongoing VCT Masters broadcasts in Tokyo, Japan, with more activations set to appear later this summer at VCT Champions in Los Angeles, California.
Moreover, the company’s ‘Priceless Experience’ offering will become part of the VCT, meaning that Mastercard cardholders will get access to certain VALORANT-related exclusive experiences.
Although the specifics of Mastercard’s involvement in the VCT have not been disclosed, the announcement states that fans can expect similar activations and benefits as seen in League of Legends esports. This encompasses various possibilities, ranging from promotional activities and logo placements to the creation of merchandise in collaboration with Riot Games.
Mastercard has integrated League of Legends into its esports marketing strategy, providing strong support for the game’s competitive scene since 2018. The company currently sponsors prominent regional leagues such as the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), as well as its Brazilian, European and Northern counterparts.
In addition to league sponsorship, Mastercard has teamed up with several esports organisations for League of Legends-centred activations, including FlyQuest and G2 Esports, amongst others.
Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports at Riot Games, commented on the expansion: “As one of the first brands to see the energy and passion Riot’s esports bring to fans around the world, Mastercard will bring the power of its Priceless experiences to VALORANT Esports, and we’re absolutely thrilled to expand this partnership.
“The VALORANT Champions Tour is laser-focused on building a new kind of global sport that’s bold and inclusive for a new generation, and we look forward to collaborating with Mastercard on initiatives that will deliver next-level experiences to our vibrant community.”
