VALORANT has officially been honored with its first Sports Emmy Award in the Outstanding Esports Championship Coverage category. This prestigious recognition was awarded for the high-caliber broadcast of the VALORANT Champions 2024 Grand Final.
The final showdown featured a gripping contest between EDward Gaming and Team Heretics, with the Chinese team ultimately taking the victory. The event was celebrated not just for the gameplay but for the quality of its production, which played a key role in earning this accolade.
This win represents Riot Games’ sixth Sports Emmy in the category, following a series of previous awards for League of Legends World Championship productions.
What the Sports Emmy Represents
Presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the Sports Emmy Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to American sports broadcasting. Since 2019, the Outstanding Esports Championship Coverage category has recognized top-tier esports productions that set industry standards.
For 2024, VALORANT’s broadcast triumphed over notable nominees, including:
- Call of Duty League Championship Weekend 2024
- The International 2024 (Dota 2)
- IEM Cologne 2024 Grand Final
- League of Legends Worlds 2024 Final
Riot Games expressed gratitude on LinkedIn, acknowledging the dedication of the production team and the enthusiastic global player base. They emphasized that this achievement reflects both the growth of VALORANT esports and the passion of its community.
Behind the Scenes: A Team Effort
The award-winning broadcast was the result of collaboration among 88 professionals, including prominent names such as Leo Faria, John Needham, Yinsu Collins, and Kevin Bell.
Associate Director Karel Keim shared on social media how proud he was to be part of a team that consistently challenges the limits of storytelling and innovation in esports. He gave credit to every contributor — from developers and production staff to players and fans — for making the event unforgettable.
A Milestone Event in the Pacific
Hosted at the INSPIRE Arena in Incheon, South Korea, the VALORANT Champions 2024 Grand Final marked a historic first: it was the debut Champions tournament held in the Pacific region. The event reached a peak viewership of 1.4 million, surpassing the previous year’s record by 120,000.
This moment signals more than just a win — it underlines VALORANT’s growing legacy as a leader in competitive gaming and its ability to unite a global audience through thrilling competition and top-tier production.