In his end-of-year letter, Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports, recaps a 2025 season buoyed by widely watched international events. Masters Bangkok posted a peak of 5.2 million viewers, averaging 1.7 million across the tournament, while Masters Toronto reached a 3.8 million peak with a 1.5 million average. Riot Games also underscores the circuit’s genuinely global character: all four regions placed in the top four at both Masters events, reinforcing competitive parity as one of the VCT’s defining features.

The year’s high point, Champions Paris, reinforced that trajectory. Riot cites 28 million cumulative viewers, a 5 million peak, and an average of 1.27 million. The final between NRG and FNATIC, swinging across multiple maps before NRG ultimately lifted the trophy, is framed as one of the most memorable Champions finals to date. Added to that is a significant marker for the ecosystem: VALORANT secured its first Sports Emmy, recognizing the broadcast coverage of a previous championship.

A confirmed opening of the ecosystem

On the economic front, Riot Games announces a major figure: $105.2 million shared with VCT teams in 2025, with more than $86 million coming directly from digital goods, notably through VCT capsules. Leo Faria also thanked fans for what he described as record support, and the accompanying graphic highlights the milestone of over $100 million redistributed, presented as an indicator of a “healthy and thriving” ecosystem for organizations.

From 2026 onward, Riot plans to broaden access to these revenues: non-partner teams that qualify for Champions will receive a Champions competitive share, described as having exceeded $500,000 in recent years. In parallel, Riot announces $1.2 million in stipends allocated to non-partner teams qualifying for Stage 2 playoffs, equivalent to $75,000 per team.

Game Changers enters the equation

Following a public question from Michaela “mimi” Lintrup who asked, in concrete terms, whether organizations investing in Game Changers would receive support commensurate with the ambitions being articulated, Leo Faria replied that it is indeed in the plans. The approach is twofold: first, to avoid siloing Game Changers from the broader ecosystem by confirming that GC teams will be eligible for open qualifiers "like everyone else" thereby providing a clearer pathway into the competitive circuits that lead to the highest level.

Second, Riot points to the introduction of dedicated funding buckets, suggesting tailored support mechanisms through grants, structural assistance, and accompanying programs, among other measures, designed to strengthen the long-term stability of GC projects. The underlying message is straightforward: Riot wants the progress observed in 2025, with GC teams moving closer to Challengers and, in some cases, qualifying for it, not to remain an isolated spike. It should become a repeatable trajectory by giving organizations and players the resources and opportunities required to continue narrowing the gap with the main circuit.