“It’s been seven years since Riot hosted a championship in our own backyard. And what a better way to usher in the new era of the VCT than with a house party?”
UNITED STATES – The VALORANT Champions 2023 will be held in Los Angeles, California, Riot Games has announced. The event will take place over the course of 15 days, from August 6-20, with the opening rounds held at the Shrine Auditorium. The competition will culminate in the iconic KIA Forum on August 24-26, where the top four teams will compete for the world championship title.
This will make the 2023 VALORANT Champions the first international VALORANT event played out in the North American region, following stops in Iceland, Germany, Denmark, Turkey, Brazil, and Japan. The path to qualification will be fierce as teams from North America, Brazil, Latin America, EMEA, and Asia compete for one of the 16 qualification slots.
The semi-final venue will be the 17,500-seater KIA Forum, which staged the Lakers and Kings from 1967 to 1999. It remains a marquee tour stop for high-profile artists, such as Elvis Presley, Elton John, Briney Spears, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, G-Dragon, Bruno Mars, Jay-Z, Harry Styles, and many more.
(Photo courtesy of Gerson Repreza)
Riot Games has a strong presence in California, with its headquarters located in Santa Monica and the LCS Arena across the street. The company has hosted many esports competitions in the city, including the League of Legends World Championships in 2012, 2013, and 2016, with the latter two held at the Staples Center.
“The VCT is more global than ever, from the loud, dazzling stress of Sao Paulo to the neon-lit skyscrapers of Tokyo. All of these roads lead to one city, where superstars are born. The only place we could have held VALORANT Champions 2023: Los Angeles.
These hallowed halls have been home to some of the biggest names in entertainment and sport: from Kendrick Lamar to Rihanna. A million magic moments. This is where legends – no, champions – are made. Welcome to the KIA Forum.
It’s been seven years since Riot hosted a championship in our own backyard. And what a better way to usher in the new era of the VCT than with a house party?”
LOUD are the reigning world champions after winning the 2022 event in Istanbul, Turkey, by beating OpTic Gaming in the final. More details regarding the tournament format, prize money breakdown, and ticket sales will be revealed closer to the event date.
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Cover photo courtesy of Jake Blucker
