FURIA 1:2 FAZE 
TL 0:2 FAZE 
EDG 2:1 ALGM 
CAGO 2:1 DPLUS 
TYL 0:2 ALGM 
With a leading modern online streaming platform not afraid of the bigger competition, and one of the best gaming studios with two of the most iconic Esports titles in its library on the other, KICK and Riot are the perfect combo. It is truly a match made in (entertainment business) heaven. Already, KICK has League of Legends and VALORANT as two of their most streamed games. And now, with the details of the new sponsorships revealed, KICK becomes the official broadcasting partner of the upcoming regional and global Esports tournament events.
As the fastest growing livestreaming platform with more than 100 million active users, the partnership with Riot Games only adds to the global roster of popular titles. The Mid Season Invitational (MSI) 2026 will act as the starting grounds from which KICK will officially carry live broadcasts for regional and global events in League of Legends Esports, VALORANT Esports, and Teamfight Tactics. Major key markets like LATAM, Turkey, and Europe will particularly enjoy this, as some of the regions where the platform (and the games) are at their highest.
As one of the flagship international events on the Esports calendar, MSI 2026 started on June 28 in Daejeon, South Korea, and will last until July 12. This deal creates brand new opportunities for creators to utilize Riot’s creator and partner programs across their games. As they expand, KICK streamers will have more ways to grow their own communities around these titles while streaming League of Legends and VALORANT as they normally do.
Director of Business Strategy at Riot Games, Doug Watson, said this about the partnership:
“Esports fandom is global, and we want to support the creators that fuel this fandom around our game titles to players around the world, no matter where they are. Through our partnership with KICK, we’re expanding the ways fans can engage with Riot’s esports events and their favorite creators on the platform of their choice. We’re excited to work with KICK to bring our games and esports experiences to even more communities around the globe.”
KICK’s Journey So Far
For those who are still new to the platform or yet to start using it, a bit of background. KICK is a live streaming platform that has quickly established itself as one of the most talked about competitors in the online broadcasting industry. Launched in 2022, the platform entered a market long dominated by established services Twitch and YouTube by positioning itself as a creator focused alternative. KICK is closely associated with Stake, the well known online crypto casino and sportsbook, with both companies sharing ownership ties. Because of this relationship, KICK has often been described as a sister company of Stake, although it operates as its own streaming platform with a broader focus on gaming, entertainment, music, and real life content.
From the beginning, KICK attracted attention by promising streamers a more favorable financial model than many rival platforms. One of its biggest selling points was a 95/5 subscription revenue split, allowing creators to keep a significantly larger share of subscriber income. The platform also introduced policies that many creators considered less restrictive, with greater flexibility regarding content while still enforcing community guidelines designed to address illegal or harmful behavior. These factors made KICK particularly appealing to streamers who wanted more creative freedom and stronger earning potential.
KICK's rapid rise was fueled by a series of high profile signings that generated widespread publicity. The company secured exclusive deals with several prominent creators who had previously built massive audiences elsewhere. Among the most notable were xQc, whose reported contract was valued at up to $100 million, and Amouranth, one of the internet's most recognizable livestream personalities. Other well known creators, including rapper Drake and streamers Trainwreckstv, Adin Ross, and Hikaru Nakamura, also became associated with the platform, helping it expand beyond gaming into a variety of content categories.
In addition to creator partnerships, KICK has continued to develop features aimed at improving the streaming experience. The platform supports live chat, subscriptions, channel memberships, clips, video on demand replays, moderation tools, and mobile access, while maintaining a familiar interface that makes it easy for users transitioning from competing services. As its audience has grown, KICK has expanded its creator ecosystem and continued refining its technology.
Although the platform remains relatively young, KICK has already had a significant impact on the livestreaming industry. Its aggressive recruitment strategy, smart partnerships and sponsorships, creator friendly revenue model, and willingness to challenge established competitors have shaken up the narrative about streamer compensation, platform policies, and creator rights. Whether it ultimately becomes a long term industry leader or simply reshapes competitive standards, KICK has already influenced how streaming platforms compete for both creators and viewers. With moves like the Riot Games deal and League and VALORANT being even more prominent on the platform, it can only grow further.
Riot Games’ Success Story
Even non gamers, or fans of other studios and genres not related to MOBAs or tactical FPSs, have heard of the name. Riot Games is one of the most influential video game developers in the world, having transformed the competitive gaming landscape several times through its focus on live service titles and global esports. Founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, the company set out to create games that could evolve over time while maintaining close engagement with their communities. Riot achieved worldwide recognition with the release of League of Legends in 2009, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that quickly became one of the most played PC games in history.
The extraordinary success of League of Legends laid the foundation for one of the largest esports ecosystems ever created. Riot invested heavily in professional leagues across multiple regions, including North America, Europe, South Korea, China, and other major markets. The annual League of Legends World Championship has grown into one of the biggest esports events on the planet, attracting millions of viewers worldwide and filling major arenas with passionate fans. Another prestigious international competition, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), brings together the world's top regional champions to compete for global supremacy midway through the competitive season.
Building on that success, Riot Games entered the tactical first person (FPS) shooter genre with the launch of VALORANT in 2020. Combining precise gunplay with unique character abilities and taking inspiration from the likes of Counter-Strike and Overwatch, while combining the best elements of both, the game quickly established itself as one of the leading competitive shooters in the industry. Riot introduced the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), a structured global circuit that features regional leagues, international Masters tournaments, and the season- VALORANT Champions event. Within only a few years, VALORANT developed a thriving professional scene and cemented its place among the world's premier esports titles.
Today, League of Legends and VALORANT consistently rank among the biggest esports games in the world, drawing enormous online audiences and producing unforgettable moments at international tournaments. Their competitive scenes feature elite organizations, world class players, and production values that rival traditional sporting events. Riot's continued investment in competitive integrity, broadcasting quality (like the KICK deal), and community engagement has helped both games remain at the forefront of the esports industry.
For fans looking to follow the action live, KICK has now become the best platform for watching streams dedicated to Riot Games titles. Alongside broadcasts from popular creators, viewers can tune in to official tournament coverage and community watch parties covering events such as the League of Legends World Championship, MSI, VALORANT Masters, and VALORANT Champions. With its high quality streaming experience, creator friendly ecosystem, active chat, and growing esports community, KICK offers an excellent destination for anyone who wants to stay connected with the biggest moments in competitive League of Legends and VALORANT.
MSI 2026 Overview
With it being the first official event where this partnership will start, it makes sense to review the ongoing Mid Season Invitational 2026 and talk about which League of Legends teams are finishing strong. The 2026 Mid Season Invitational (MSI) is the 11th edition of Riot Games' premier mid year international League of Legends tournament. It brings together the world's top teams from the first half of the competitive season to battle for international glory, a share of the $2 million prize pool, and valuable qualification benefits for the League of Legends World Championship later in the year. Hosted at the Daejeon Convention Center II, the tournament once again showcases the highest level of professional League of Legends competition.
This year's event features 11 qualified teams representing six competitive regions. The top two teams from the LCK (Korea), LPL (China), LEC (EMEA), LCP (Asia-Pacific), and LCS (Americas) earned direct qualification, while the CBLOL champion secured the final place in the tournament. As in previous years, regional performance and seeding determined whether teams started in the Play-In Stage or advanced directly to the Bracket Stage. The tournament continues to use Fearless Draft across all best of five series, ensuring that champions picked in earlier games cannot be selected again by the same team during the series, encouraging strategic diversity and rewarding deep champion pools.
The competition is divided into two phases. The Play-In Stage determines the final qualifier for the main event, while the Bracket Stage features a double elimination format with every match played as a best of five. This structure provides teams with a second chance after an initial defeat while ensuring that only the most consistent squads reach the Grand Final. In addition to the MSI trophy, strong regional performances can secure additional qualification advantages for Worlds, adding even greater importance to every series.
MSI offers a total prize pool of $2,000,000, with the champions receiving the largest share of $500,000 alongside the prestigious MSI title and Worlds 2026 qualification. The remaining prize money is distributed among all participating teams based on their final placement, rewarding deep tournament runs while ensuring every qualified organization earns a portion of the overall purse. Runners up get $300,000, third place gets $240,000, 4th place gets $200,000, 5-6 get $160,000 each, 7-8 get $110,000 each, 9th gets $90,000, 10th gets $70,000, and 11th gets $60,000. Success at MSI carries enormous prestige, as international titles remain among the most coveted achievements in professional League of Legends.
So far, places 7 through 11 are already familiar. Top Esports came in 7th, FURIA is 8th, Team Liquid finished 9th, Karmine Corp was 10th, and Deep Cross Gaming came in last at 11th. In the Winners’ Bracket, it is Bilibili Gaming versus Hanwha Life Esports fighting for the final. The Losers’ Bracket sees G2 versus T1 Esports and LYON vs Team Secret Whales. In these three matchups, Hanwha Life Esports, T1 Esports, and LYON are the favorites in their respective matchups.
LOL and VALORANT Similarities Trivia
- Every match is different
Neither game has a fixed "best" way to play. Different team compositions, player decisions, and momentum shifts mean that no two matches unfold exactly alike. Even with the same map and the same characters, a single play can completely change the outcome.
- Knowledge as valuable as mechanics
Fast reflexes help, but top players also win through game knowledge. In League, it is tracking cooldowns, vision, and objectives. In VALORANT, it is understanding utility, economy, and map control. Players are constantly rewarded for thinking ahead instead of simply reacting faster.
- Team coordination beats individual skill
A mechanically gifted player can carry some rounds or fights, but coordinated teamwork almost always prevails over isolated heroics. Communicating information, combining abilities, and executing a shared plan are central to winning in both games, making victories feel earned rather than accidental.
- Learning curve never really ends
Both games remain engaging because there is always something new to improve. Players refine positioning, decision making, matchup knowledge, and teamwork over hundreds or even thousands of matches. This sense of continuous mastery keeps the experience fresh long after the basics have been learned.