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The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup is poised to introduce one of the most popular first-person shooters to the tournament roster—VALORANT. According to an internal report by Mikhail Klimentov, VALORANT will make its debut in the prestigious event, which has traditionally featured titles such as League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics. This marks a significant development for the esports scene, as the game was notably absent from the 2024 edition.
VALORANT’s absence from the 2024 Esports World Cup was due to scheduling conflicts, as the game’s own major event, the VALORANT Champions 2024, was held at the same time. However, Riot Games has now confirmed that the popular tactical shooter will be part of the 2025 Esports World Cup, bringing added excitement to the tournament. Alongside VALORANT, League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics will return, ensuring a dynamic mix of strategy and skill across multiple gaming genres.
As part of the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 (VCT), the tournament will kick off with the VCT Kickoff League in January 2025, followed by regional leagues that lead to major international competitions. The top two teams from each regional league will then advance to VCT Masters Bangkok. This integration with the Esports World Cup will likely boost the global prominence of VALORANT’s competitive scene, especially as it continues to grow and attract attention from esports enthusiasts and brands alike.
If VALORANT’s inclusion in the Esports World Cup is confirmed, it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the esports ecosystem. Riot Games has already made headlines by allowing teams in the Americas and EMEA regions to partner with betting sponsors—a move that could increase revenue and player salaries, similar to the trends seen in the CS2 esports scene.
Last year’s League of Legends competition at the Esports World Cup had a massive prize pool of $1.05 million, with T1 emerging victorious. This influx of money into the ecosystem proved to be a major financial boost for participating teams, and similar rewards for VALORANT teams could further elevate the competitive scene.