The inaugural VALORANT Mobile National Championship final is currently underway, captivating audiences with high-stakes competition among the top teams in China. The tournament, which kicked off on December 26 and will conclude on December 27, features a prize pool of $120,000, showcasing the burgeoning esports scene surrounding the mobile version of the popular VALORANT franchise.
After several seasons of competition, elite teams such as Edward Gaming, All Gamers, LKG, and Ace Prime Core have made their way to this championship showdown. The format of the championship follows a single-elimination bracket, where teams face the pressure of immediate elimination upon losing a match. The Semi-Finals are set as best-of-three, while the Grand Final will require teams to demonstrate their superiority in a best-of-five format.
As the championship unfolds, it not only presents an opportunity for the teams to showcase their skills but also serves as a glimpse into the future of VALORANT as a mobile esports title. The ongoing matches can be viewed live, allowing fans to experience the unique gameplay and strategy that VALORANT Mobile offers.
However, the excitement of the championship is tempered by frustration among players in regions outside China. Many gaming enthusiasts worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the international release of VALORANT Mobile, feeling a mix of envy and impatience as they observe the established esports ecosystem flourishing in China. The absence of a global launch date from Riot Games has only fueled this discontent, with insiders speculating that a global release might not occur until early 2026.
This delay has raised concerns within the gaming community about fairness, as Chinese teams gain a potentially significant advantage by already competing at a high level. As players in other nations wait, there is an underlying tension regarding how they will measure up against a well-practiced Chinese competition when the game finally becomes available to them.
Amidst this backdrop of anticipation and discontent, rumors suggest that Riot Games is planning an extensive esports ecosystem for VALORANT Mobile once it officially launches globally. The success of the current championship could set the stage for future international tournaments, leading to a more integrated global esports scene. Much will depend on how teams outside of China adapt and evolve as they finally gain access to the game.
The VALORANT Mobile National Championship thus stands as both a celebration of competitive gaming and a sobering reminder of the challenges inherent in an uneven global rollout. As the tournament continues through its final day, the focus will not only be on who claims the championship title, but also on what the future holds for VALORANT Mobile and its players across the globe.
