VALORANT - Project Blender: A New Competitive Playground for EMEA Scene

Unveiled on 31 July 2025, Project Blender is an ambitious initiative designed to offer VALORANT players across the EMEA region a fresh and dynamic competitive experience. Open to players of all tiers and teams, the project aims to invigorate the competitive ecosystem through innovative formats, performance-based incentives, and a strong emphasis on accessibility.

At the heart of Project Blender lies its multi-phase structure, which is defined by an unconventional and strategic Blender Draft system. Across three stages, teams must adapt their agent compositions to shifting constraints.

Each team follows this process independently, resulting in asymmetrical drafts where adaptability and depth of agent pool become crucial elements of success.

The tournament’s ethos, encapsulated in the phrase “Start lower. Finish on top”, is rooted in meritocratic progression. Teams are encouraged to climb through the ranks by defeating higher-tier opponents, and are financially rewarded for doing so. The bounty payout system awards cash prizes based on the tier difference between competing teams, turning underdog victories into tangible gains.

Teams that qualify for the next stage are granted a Challenger's Call, which allows them to select their next opponent. This mechanism adds layers of strategy and competitive narrative to the unfolding structure of the tournament. Project Blender also promotes inclusivity by introducing the Blender Spotlight format. This pathway enables mixed-gender teams to enter the competition and qualify directly for Phase 3, thereby reinforcing a commitment to greater representation in the scene.

The event is open to all players residing in the EMEA region, regardless of their level of experience or organisational affiliation. All participants, whether amateur, semi-professional, or professional, are welcome to register and participate in the competition.

With a prize pool of €75,000, divided between traditional winnings and bounty-based rewards, Project Blender offers more than just competition, inviting wider participation. Casters and broadcast talent are also encouraged to join and contribute to the project's evolving identity, lending their voices to a format designed to showcase both skill and storytelling.

Project Blender positions itself as a competitive laboratory, blending strategic experimentation, merit-based progression, and inclusive values. It offers players an alternative to the traditional tournament circuit, fostering innovation, diversity, and competition at all levels.