Riot Games Partners with Esports World Cup Foundation in Landmark Three-Year Deal

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Introduction

In a significant development for the esports industry, Riot Games has entered into a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). This collaboration will see Riot's flagship titles—League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics (TFT)—featured prominently in the Esports World Cup (EWC) events over the next three years.

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Expansion of Riot's Presence in EWC

While League of Legends and TFT were part of the previous year's EWC lineup, this partnership marks the inaugural inclusion of VALORANT in the tournament series. The addition of VALORANT is particularly noteworthy, as it represents Riot's strategic move to showcase its popular first-person shooter on a global competitive stage. The partnership encompasses more than just the inclusion of these games.

While League of Legends and TFT were part of the previous year's EWC lineup, this partnership marks the inaugural inclusion of VALORANT in the tournament series.

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Global commercial campaigns

It also involves a global commercial campaign that integrates EWC in-broadcast activations within Riot's top competitive leagues, including LoL Esports, the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), and the TFT competitive circuit. These activations are set to debut at the upcoming VCT Masters in Bangkok later this month.

Strategic Implications and Community Reactions

This collaboration is poised to enhance the visibility and reach of Riot's esports titles, offering players and fans new opportunities for engagement. However, it's essential to acknowledge the complexities surrounding this partnership. The EWC is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, leading to discussions about the ethical implications of such collaborations. Riot Games has previously faced criticism for its associations with Saudi entities, notably in 2020 when the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) canceled a partnership with the Saudi Arabian project NEOM following community backlash. Despite these concerns, the partnership underscores Riot's commitment to expanding its esports ecosystem and creating deeper connections with fans across gaming, music, and digital culture. As Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer at EWCF, stated, "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."

This collaboration is poised to enhance the visibility and reach of Riot's esports titles, offering players and fans new opportunities for engagement.

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Looking Ahead

As the esports landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this one between Riot Games and the Esports World Cup Foundation highlight the industry's growth and the increasing mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming. While challenges and debates persist, the collaboration sets the stage for exciting developments in the esports world, promising enhanced experiences for players, teams, and fans alike.

As the esports landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like this one between Riot Games and the Esports World Cup Foundation highlight the industry's growth and the increasing mainstream acceptance of competitive gaming.

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Conclusion

The first events under this partnership are anticipated to take place during the summer of 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with exact dates and formats yet to be announced. The esports community will be keenly observing how this partnership unfolds and its impact on the broader competitive gaming ecosystem.