Riot Games today announced the Ignition Series, the publisher's first step to building the VALORANT esports scene.
Riot Games has partnered with more than 20 esports organizations to create Ignition Series events around the world. The Ignition Series will kick off on Friday with the European G2 Esports Invitational, presented by Red Bull, and the RAGE VALORANT JAPAN Invitational.
We aspire to bring the world together in global competition and that means building this together with you. The Ignition Series is our first step: a partnership program with tournament organizers to showcase all forms of competitive VALORANT. Learn more: https://t.co/KU4EFY6FLS
— VALORANT (@PlayVALORANT) June 16, 2020
Future Ignition Series events will be produced for the regions of North America, Brazil, Latin America, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, Russia, Turkey and the Middle East. Details about additional events will be released by Riot in the coming days.
"We're thrilled to pull together the best from gaming and esports to deliver a program that will showcase VALORANT on a global scale," Whalen Rozelle, senior director of esports at Riot Games, said in a news release. "The Ignition Series will unlock the creative potential of some of our top partners and will help us build an esport from the ground up that is authentic to the VALORANT community."
Each organizer will operate their own Ignition Series tournament, with variations that will include competitive open qualifiers, show matches, and invitationals with top players, established personalities, and aspiring amateurs.
"We are ready to open the VALORANT Ignition Series and continue the success of the G2 EU Brawls in an all-out entertainment-filled invitational," Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of G2 Esports, said. "Our partnership with Riot has helped make the European League of Legends community the force it is today and contributed to the success of the LEC [League of Legends European Championship], and I have no doubt that we will do the same for VALORANT."
"VALORANT is a fantastic game and Riot has accomplished what many have tried by finding the sweet spot between casual fun and a hardcore competitive experience. Through this Series, the world will see exactly what the VALORANT hype is all about."
Riot Games will support Ignition Series events with amplification through multiple publishing channels, including a dedicated landing with an updated schedule and guiding tournament organizers to provide the best event possible.