After the successful global launch of its highly anticipated 5v5 first-person tactical shooter VALORANT, Riot Games will start its esports push for the game with the Ignition Series.

The Ignition Series is the publisher’s first step to build a thriving esport around VALORANT. To produce the VALORANT Ignition Series, Riot Games has partnered with more than 20 esports organizations. This will allow it to create unique competitive events around the world.

Building a community

“We’re thrilled to pull together the best from gaming and esports to deliver a program that will showcase VALORANT on a global scale,” Whalen Rozelle, Senior Director of Esports at Riot Games, said in a press statement

The esports push leverages on the sheer popularity of the game. VALORANT quickly became a fan favorite among the global first-person shooter community after launching its closed beta in April 2020.

“The Ignition Series will unlock the creative potential of some of our top partners. It will help us build an esport from the ground up that is authentic to the VALORANT community,” Rozelle said.

The Ignition Series will kick off on June 19 with the European G2 Esports Invitational, presented by Red Bull, and the RAGE VALORANT JAPAN Invitational.

Ignition Series events will be held in North America, Brazil, Latin America, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, Russia, Turkey, and the Middle East. They have already scheduled events for Southeast Asia in early July and mid-August. The organizers will release more details in the weeks to come.

Each organizer will operate its own Ignition Series tournament. The variations will include competitive open qualifiers, show matches, and invitationals with top players, established personalities, and aspiring amateurs. The Ignition Series tournaments will provide players with the opportunity to begin building their region’s competitive legacy.

Are you ready to embrace VALORANT, esports fans?