Valorant Esports News

Yesterday, the Esports Foundation (EF) awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories. The concerted effort was all in preparation for the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) in November, a global nation-based esports competition. UK now joins the growing assembly of countries set to compete later this year in Riyadh.

VCT EMEA 2026 Stage 1 runs April 1–May 17, with 12 partnered teams competing for Championship Points and three Masters London qualification slots.

Sentinels have finalized their roster for VCT 2026 Americas Stage 1 with the addition of rising NA duelist Jerrwin. As the team moves on from N4RRATE and speculation around TenZ’s return ends, the spotlight now shifts to Jerrwin—who faces his biggest challenge yet stepping into Tier 1 competition.

VCT Pacific 2026 Stage 1 will see the region's 12 teams battle from April 3 to May 17 for valuable Championship Points and three highly coveted slots for Masters London.

Riot Games has officially confirmed that Turkish organization Eternal Fire will join VCT EMEA for the remainder of the 2026 season, stepping in to replace ULF Esports.

VALORANT Night Market will return in Season 2026 Act 2 on March 26 and continue until April 16.

VALORANT's Patch 12.05 brings changes to the competitive map pool alongside a targeted rework of Lotus's A-site, aimed at cleaning up some of the map's most exploited angles and chokepoints.

VALORANT Patch 12.05 launches V26 Act 2 with new Controller Miks, the return of Fracture and Lotus to the map pool, and balance adjustments for three agents.

USA Esports launched on March 16, 2026, as a nonprofit national body that coordinates US representation in international esports. The organization fields teams in Valorant, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and 10 other titles for events such as the Olympic Esports Games and Esports Nations Cup. A board of nine directors from professional play, collegiate programs, and traditional athletics governs its work toward federal NGB recognition.

Nongshim RedForce claims its first international trophy after dominating Paper Rex in the Grand Finals. With the victory, Nongshim RedForce secures the $350,000 winner's cheque and six Championship Points.

Tickets for VALORANT Masters London are scheduled to go live on March 27th. The second international event of the 2026 season will take place from June 6–21 at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Riot Games just announced Knockout, a brand-new game mode hitting VALORANT on March 18, 2026. It's dropping on the exact same day as the new Agent, Miks, and the launch of Season 2026 // Act 2

Riot Games used the Grand Final of the VALORANT Masters Santiago to reveal the newest addition to the Agent roster: Miks, a Controller from Croatia who joins the game on March 18, 2026 as part of Season 2026 // Act 2

The VCT Masters Santiago 2026 Grand Final pits undefeated upper-bracket winner Nongshim RedForce against lower-bracket survivor Paper Rex in an all-Pacific clash. Nongshim enters rested with extensive Paper Rex scouting material, while PRX brings battle-tested momentum through Swiss and five playoff series. Expected Haven-Split-Corrode maps favour Nongshim's structure against PRX's aggression.

The penultimate day of VALORANT Masters Santiago delivered heartbreak for the Americas as NRG were eliminated from the tournament, falling 3-1 to Paper Rex in the Lower Bracket Finals. In what was the third meeting between the two sides at this event, the Princes of Pacific settled the unofficial series in their favour and booked their ticket to the grand finals.

Brazil's Felca Law takes effect on 17 March 2026 and bans paid loot boxes in games that minors play. It forces Riot Games to set League of Legends and other titles to 18+ in the country, blocking underage accounts until 2027. Free Fire faces redesign of Royales, and Roblox limits chat for kids. Publishers must use CPF checks or biometrics, with fines up to 10% of revenue for violations.