Riot Games Confirms: No Game Changers at Esports World Cup 2025
Image Credit: Riot Games
Riot Games has confirmed that Valorant Game Changers, its esports program focused on women and marginalized genders, will not be included in the 2025 Esports World Cup. Riot also stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the inclusion of other games like League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant in the eight-week event scheduled to begin in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in July 2025.
Negotiations Still Ongoing
The news follows a report by ReaderGrev that claimed several Riot titles, including League of Legends, Valorant, and Game Changers, were nearly confirmed for the event. However, Riot told The Esports Advocate (TEA) that this information was premature.
A Riot representative clarified, “Negotiations are still underway for all titles,” and stressed that Game Changers will not be part of the lineup, stating, “Game Changers is 100% off the table.” They also noted that any Riot games included in the competition would not be officially tied to Riot’s leagues and would instead be licensed to a third-party operator.
Why Game Changers Is Excluded
Valorant Game Changers was created in 2021 to provide opportunities for women and marginalized genders in the Valorant competitive scene. Its exclusion from the Esports World Cup is significant, especially given the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia's record on human rights and LGBTQ+ issues. Western countries have been critical of partnerships with Saudi-backed events, which often lead to accusations of “sports washing” — using sports and entertainment to improve the country’s global image despite its human rights record.
Riot's decision is cautious in aligning Game Changers with the Saudi government-backed event. Other publishers have been more open to hosting women’s-only competitions in Saudi Arabia, but Riot has maintained a more conservative approach.
The Esports World Cup and Its Critics
The Esports World Cup is managed by ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s gaming company, Savvy Games Group. Funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the event showcases multiple games across an eight-week period.
While the Esports World Cup promotes itself as a global celebration of competitive gaming, critics argue it’s part of Saudi Arabia’s “sports washing” strategy. International organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently highlighted the country’s human rights violations, including issues related to women’s rights, LGBTQ+ freedoms, and its involvement in conflicts like the war in Yemen.
What’s Next for Riot’s Games at the World Cup?
Despite Game Changers being excluded, many believe that League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant will eventually make it to the final lineup. However, as of now, nothing has been officially confirmed. Riot’s cautious approach underscores its desire to navigate these sensitive partnerships carefully.
The Esports World Cup remains a high-profile event, but the inclusion of games, especially those tied to diversity initiatives, will likely continue to spark debate about the ethics of participation in Saudi-backed projects.
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