Verizon and Riot Games expand global partnership with 5G

Verizon and Riot Games have expanded their partnership to cover global 5G and network service for Riot's esports portfolio, making Verizon the first global partner to support the gaming company's worldwide esports initiatives.

The partnership will commence in full this upcoming May with two major tournaments, the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational and VALORANT Masters, taking place in Reykjavik, Iceland's Laugardalshöll Indoor Sporting Arena.

Verizon has already been a supporter of Riot Games as the official 5G provider for the League Championship Series (LCS), VALORANT First Strike, and the Wild Rift Invitational. Expanding the partnership increases the telecoms provider's global footprint in esports and signals confidence in Riot Games' continued growth in the category. 

Consumers will benefit through the partnership as well, with discounts on League of Legends in-game purchases through the Verizon Up programme. 

With traditional sports upended by the pandemic, esports saw a major boom in 2020. Last year's Worlds gaming tournament (read: the World Series for League of Legends fans) was the most-watched esports event of the year, with over 23 million viewers tuned in at any given minute of the final.

Related articles

League of Legends World Championship 2020 releases film to launch new season