VALORANT has been pushing out tremendous support for their casual and esports community. One of the initiatives is to release tournament guidelines for third-party organizers, ranging in size from small to large-scale tournaments. With that in mind, VALO2ASIA.com has put together a comprehensive handbook regarding all the things you need to know before hosting a VALORANT tournament. To prevent legal action, be sure to follow all of Riot Games’ tournament guidelines.

“We’re overwhelmed by the interest and excitement behind VALORANT, and we’re excited to embark on this long esports journey with you all. We’re already hearing questions on what esports will look like, and while it’s early, we’ll try to share whatever details we can. As part of our Authenticity principle, we want to let VALORANT grow naturally; we’re not looking to force anything too quickly without knowing what’s best for esports fans.

As such, a primary focus early on will be forming partnerships with players, content creators, tournament organizers, and developers—unlocking them to help us to build this ecosystem.” – Whalen “Magus” Rozelle, Senior Director of Esports at Riot Games

Understand VALORANT Community Competition Tiers

Small Tournaments

In their official tournament guidelines, Riot Games classifies small tournaments as participation-driven and non-produced small events. Usually, this type of event is by a community, to a community, for a community, and includes individuals, internet cafés, and community organizers. Riot limits the prize pool of this category to a maximum of US$10,000, or US$12,000 in non-cash prizes. These events can only be open to domestic teams and do not involve teams from other regions (international play). The event organizer’s goal should be fun, organized, and social play. No Application needed; you are granted a community license by adhering to these guidelines

1. You may use the name VALORANT to promote your Competition.
2. You must not use the words “Championship”, “Champions”, “Season”, or “League” in the name of your competition.
3. You must not use Riot logos or trademarks (including game logo treatments, Esports leagues trademarks (professional or amateur), or the name Riot Games, Inc., Riot Games or Riot) to promote your Competition or Competition website; you may not otherwise suggest that your Competition or Competition website is endorsed or approved by, or affiliated with, Riot in any way.
4. You must additionally include the following notice clearly and conspicuously on your competition website and any competition materials: “This competition is not affiliated with or sponsored by Riot Games, Inc. or VALORANT Esports.”

Medium Tournaments

Medium tournaments are a category for event organizers to monetize and grow their brand or business. Riot has set the maximum prize pool to US$50,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. The event organizers include middle-tier businesses and brands, esports organizations, or influencers. Custom license required; you must apply to your Regional Riot Esports Team

1. You may use the name VALORANT to promote your Competition.
2. You must not use the words “Championship”, “Champions”, “Season”, “League”, or any other word which might imply that your tournament is part of an official Riot esports circuit,  without prior approval from Riot.
3. Riot may permit the use of Riot/VALORANT Esports artwork, logos or trademarks (including game logo treatments, Esports leagues trademarks (professional or amateur), or the name Riot Games, Inc., Riot Games or Riot) to promote your Competition or Competition website. Additionally, Riot may provide you with “Community” VALORANT logos and artwork for promotional use.
4. Riot may include your event on a Riot Games Official Schedule.

Major Tournaments

This category outlines the framework for major tournaments, often hosted by famous tournament organizers such as ESL, DreamHack, or OGN. Generally, the event organizers’ goal is to monetize and grow their brand or business, and contribute to the VALORANT Global Esports ecosystem. A custom license is required; you must apply to the Global Riot Esports Team

Other Important Tournament Guidelines:

1. Entry Fees

All Tournament Tiers

1.  You may charge an entry fee for your Competition. Entry fee revenue must be used solely to help offset the Competition Costs (such as venue, web hosting, casters, etc.) or towards the Competition’s prize pool. 
2. You may crowdfund to help offset the Competition Costs, but any and all contributions from crowdfunding must go directly to the prize pool for the Competition or towards the Competition Costs.

2. Prizing

Small Tournaments

1. The total value of your prize pool may not exceed $10,000 USD (or its regional equivalent), or $12,000 in non-cash prizes.
2. The total value of your prize pool, including cash value of non-cash prizes, across all competitions you organize in a calendar year may not exceed $100,000 USD (or its regional equivalent), without prior approval from Riot.

Medium Tournaments

1. The total value of your prize pool may not exceed $50,000 USD (or its regional equivalent).
2. The total value of your prize pool, including cash value of non-cash prizes, across all competitions you organize in a calendar year may not exceed $200,000 USD (or its regional equivalent), without prior approval from Riot.
3. Riot may contribute to your prize pool.

Major Tournaments

1. Riot may contribute to your prize pool.

3. Broadcasting

Small Tournaments

1.  You may broadcast your competition online, and may stream on whichever online platform you like, subject to the rules in Riot Games’ Legal Jibber Jabber. 
2. You may not charge fees of any kind for spectators to watch the competition online.
3. If you broadcast your competition online, you are responsible for ensuring that any accompanied chat is adequately moderated to prevent vulgar, abusive, or an otherwise mean spirited environment.
4. Additionally, you must toggle off “Show Blood” in the VALORANT settings.
5. All other forms of broadcast (e.g., Linear television) are prohibited.

Medium & Major Tournaments

1. You must abide by the Broadcast terms set forth in your custom license. 
2. If you broadcast your competition online, you are responsible for ensuring that any accompanied chat is adequately moderated to prevent vulgar, abusive, or an otherwise mean spirited environment.
3. Additionally, you must toggle off “Show Blood” in the VALORANT settings.
4. If Riot promotes your competition, contributes to your prize pool, and/or helps monetize your competition in any way, you may be asked to promote Riot social media accounts and/or channels during your broadcast.

4. Sponsors and Partners

Small Tournaments

1. You may use any sponsors not listed on the Prohibited Sponsorship List, below.
2. Total sponsor contributions for each tournament your organization runs are limited to $10,000 (or its regional equivalent) in value. In addition, your organization cannot receive more than $100,000 (or its regional equivalent) in sponsorships in a Calendar Year for VALORANT tournaments.

Medium & Major Tournaments

1. You may use sponsors not listed on the Prohibited Sponsor and Advertiser List, below.
2. Riot may assist in monetizing your event through sponsorships, in which case a predetermined percentage of the proceeds would be contributed to your prize pool.

The Prohibited Sponsor and Advertiser List According to Riot Games Official Tournament Guidelines:

● Any other video game, other video game developer, or publisher
● Any video game consoles
● Any esport or other video game tournament, league, or event
● Gambling, sportsbook and casinos
● Fantasy esports operators (including daily fantasy)
● Any prescription drugs or drugs that are not “over-the-counter” drugs including items such as CBD oils, etc.
● Firearms, ammunition or firearm accessories
● Pornography or pornographic products
● Tobacco products or paraphernalia
● Alcohol products (including non-alcoholic beverages marketed by alcohol companies) or other intoxicants the sale or use of which is regulated by applicable law
● Sellers of or marketplaces for virtual items known to be counterfeit or illegal
● Seller of or marketplaces for goods or services that violate the Riot Games terms of Service
● Cryptocurrencies, or any other unregulated financial instruments or markets
● Political campaigns or political action committees
● Charities that endorse particular religious or political positions, or are not reputable. (Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Stand-Up to Cancer and other similar mainstream charities would be considered reputable)
● If you have any questions on the above or are unsure as to the category, you are requested to secure express written authorization of Riot.

5. Merchandising

Small Tournaments
1. You may not sell any Riot, VALORANT, VALORANT Esports, or similar branded merchandise.

Medium & Major Tournaments
1. Riot may provide, or permit the sale of, Riot, VALORANT, VALORANT Esports, or similar branded merchandise.

Other Useful Resources Regarding Tournament Guidelines:

• Official VALORANT Community Competition Guidelines
• Riot Games Legal Jiber Jabber
• Riot Games Terms of Service

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