The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious Esports leagues since its inception in 2023. With a unique structure composed of four regional leagues and 12 teams from around the globe, VCT has captured the attention of both players and fans.
As the 2024 season comes to a close, Riot Games has revealed the significant financial support it has provided to VCT teams, totaling over $78 million for the year. This substantial investment highlights the ongoing success of VALORANT Esports and its growing ecosystem.
Riot Games, the publisher behind VALORANT, has adopted a franchise-based model for the VCT, similar to traditional sports leagues such as the NFL and IPL. In this model, teams are not relegated based on performance but must instead qualify for top-tier competitions through VCT Ascension.
One of the key sources of revenue for VCT teams in 2024 has been the sale of in-game bundles, particularly the VCT-specific and VALORANT Champions 2024 bundles. Riot Games introduced these limited-time bundles, which featured exclusive skins, gun buddies, and player cards designed by the teams themselves.
Riot Games announced that the revenue from the 2024 VCT and Champions bundles would be divided into 60 equal parts. The 16 teams that qualified for the prestigious VALORANT Champions event received two parts each, while the remaining 28 teams each received one part. According to Riot’s financial breakdown, more than $44.3 million was distributed to teams based on the sales of these in-game bundles.
This revenue-sharing model has proven highly beneficial for teams, as it aligns their financial success with the popularity of VALORANT Esports. As the game continues to attract millions of players and fans worldwide, the revenue generated from these exclusive bundles grows, offering teams a steady stream of income to support their operations.
In addition to the revenue from in-game bundles, Riot Games has also shared significant funds through stipends and prize pools. These funds are awarded based on teams’ performance throughout the season, with additional financial rewards for top finishes in tournaments and competitions.
For the 2024 season, Riot Games distributed over $78 million to VCT teams, with $44.3 million coming from the VCT and Champions bundles alone. The remaining funds were provided through prize pools, stipends, and performance-based rewards.
Unlike in 2023, Riot Games did not disclose the exact revenue generated from the sale of the 2024 VALORANT Champions skin bundle. However, considering the financial success of the VCT and Champions bundles, it is clear that these in-game purchases are a major source of income for the teams. The bundles not only allow fans to support their favorite teams but also contribute to the growth of the VALORANT Esports ecosystem as a whole.
In addition to the VCT and Champions bundles, Riot Games also released limited-time bundles, such as the Arcane Season 2 Collector’s Set. This set, created in collaboration with the hit animated series Arcane, included exclusive items tied to the show’s second season. These types of collaborations further boost the game’s revenue and contribute to the financial success of the teams involved.
