The announcement that Valorant will finally be included in the Esports World Championship 2025 to be held in Riyadh in August and has sent a wave of discussions throughout the competitive gaming community. The tactical first-person shooter, developed by Riot Games, has been one of the biggest esports titles of the past few years, and its inclusion in the record breaking EWC is a significant milestone for both the game and its developers. But the question is why so much later?
Valorant's esports scene has, for the most part, operated in a closed ecosystem, meaning Riot has kept tight control over the tournament structures, leagues, and player development. Unlike other major esports titles such as League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which have a wide variety of 3rd Party tournament organizers, Valorant tournaments were largely restricted to Riot’s own events, such as the VCT (Valorant Champions Tour).
While this closed nature allowed Riot to maintain control over the competitive integrity of the game and its professional scene, it also meant that Valorant remained somewhat isolated from the broader esports landscape and has grown into a highly competitive and beloved game with a global player base. Riot has carefully built its ecosystem from the ground up, focusing on player and viewer experiences while ensuring high-quality production. As the competitive scene matured, fans and organizations alike have been calling for more integration into the wider esports ecosystem. Given Riot’s past record with League of Legends and their commitment to an exclusive ecosystem, Valorant being in the EWC2025 represents a shift in approach that has raised questions about the game’s future. Recently, they have indicated a desire to work with third-party tournament organizers, a move that has been met with cautious optimism from the community. By joining EWC2025, Valorant enters a league of international competitions where the best players from various titles meet in one place, making it clear that Riot is willing to take it to the next level, positioning Valorant as one of the top esports worldwide.
“We’ve always believed in Valorant as a global esport, but the decision to open the door to events like the EWC is part of our larger vision to create an inclusive and diverse ecosystem for our players and fans,” said a Riot Games spokesperson in an official statement. “We’re excited to see how our community will thrive in an event with such global scale and prestige.”
Some argue that allowing independent organizers to run Valorant events could bring a greater level of diversity and creativity to the game’s competitive scene. The EWC tournament, a well-established fixture in the esports calendar, typically welcomes a variety of games and organizers. If Valorant becomes part of the event, it may set a precedent for Riot to allow more flexibility and collaboration with other tournament operators in the future and could bring good news for our region as well. The upcoming EWC2025 will likely give us a better understanding of Riot’s long-term stance on third-party involvement.
