Valorant Mobile is finally making its first move towards esports, as per the recent reports from Liquipedia's Mobile Esports dataminer, hesketh2. During the China National Competition Finals for the PC version, it was revealed that Tencent and TJ Sports have formalised the plan for Valorant Mobile esports.
In case you didn't know, TJ Sports is a dedicated venture between Riot Games and Tencent to execute League of Legends esports in China. It looks like Riot has trusted the same for the flagship Valorant Mobile esports operations.
Valorant Mobile's Esports Push Begins in China
The announcement was followed by an on-stage presentation after a showmatch event for the Valorant mobile version, where devs of the TJ teams showcased upcoming plans for Valorant Mobile, including the launch of a nationwide "SHOW Cup". Of course, this is a translation from Mandarin, so the exact name for the tournament may differ in actual sense.
Apart from this, there will also be the introduction of a dedicated in-game competition center. This center will allow players to sign up and compete directly within the mobile game. This would be the equivalent to Valorant Premier, meaning aspiring mobile esports pros won’t have to rely on third-party apps or external platforms to make a debut in the Valorant Mobile esports ecosystem.
What stands out most is that Valorant Mobile is being welcomed into China's National Competition program. It is the same structure followed for PC players in China on the path to international circuits like Ascension.
The current SHOW Cup for Valorant Mobile is set to continue for the next three months, laying the groundwork for community engagement and competitive experience.
Following this, the first official Valorant Mobile China National Circuit will kick off after September. This structure is going to mimic that of the PC scene, providing a more seamless integration between platforms and perhaps setting the stage for future cross-platform promotions or even shared events.
What's missing for now is the Professional League tier for Valorant Mobile, which is still under development. However, with the infrastructure and support already in place, it's likely just a matter of time.
As of now, details are still at a premature stage and may differ a little bit. However, it's certain that this roadmap isn't just important for China; in fact, it could shape how Valorant Mobile esports grows around the world. There’s a good chance the global launch will happen before the end of this year, and what's being tested in China might act as a base model for other regions.
If the tournaments, sign-up system, and national circuit work well here, Riot could use the same plan globally. In a way, China is the testing ground. A smooth rollout now means they'll be better prepared to build a strong mobile esports scene worldwide.
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