Riot Games is set to redefine the landscape of esports with a groundbreaking announcement for VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) in 2025. The company will distribute over $100 million with its partner teams through the sale of in-game esports digital goods. This initiative showcases Riot’s commitment to fostering a thriving esports ecosystem.
Riot Games has revealed that the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) will share over $100m (~£75m) in 2025 with its partner teams through in-game esports digital goods.
Record-Breaking Revenue from Digital Goods
Reports suggest that over $86m (~£65m) of this revenue comes from esports digital item sales, a significant increase compared to the $44.3m (~£33m) the previous year. Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, emphasized the monumental achievements of 2025, highlighting the exceptional competition and unprecedented engagement from the community.
“2025 was a defining year for VALORANT esports. We saw incredible competition, unforgettable stories, and record-breaking engagement from players and fans around the world,” commented Faria in a press release.
Riot’s franchised VALORANT Champions Tour involves 40 partner teams with eight organizations promoted from tier two scenes across EMEA, Americas, Pacific, and China. In addition to a VCT slot, teams also benefit from revenue generated by several yearly esports in-game bundles.
Fans had the opportunity to support their favorite teams through dedicated VCT team capsules, featuring a Classic skin, a player card, a spray, and a gun buddy. Moreover, the annual VALORANT Champions bundle, celebrating the game’s grand international tournament, significantly contributes to shared revenue.
Major Changes for VALORANT Esports in 2026
The upcoming VCT season in 2026 promises exciting transformations. For the first time since franchising began, Challenger teams will have the chance to directly qualify for VALORANT Champions. Riot is committed to expanding the ecosystem by granting more teams access to funding, with non-partner teams qualifying for Champions able to benefit from a ‘Champions competitive share’.
In his end-of-year letter, Faria hinted at future innovations: “I’m also excited to share that we’re cooking up a new plan for digital goods in 2027. Something new… maybe not so classic.” The VALORANT community eagerly anticipates these developments as they brace for an exciting era.