- Coinbase becomes the exclusive crypto partner for League of Legends and Valorant global events.
- The partnership introduces custom in-game segments and crypto-themed fan activations.
- Riot Games and Coinbase aim to enhance fan engagement through Web3 innovations and rewards.
Coinbase has taken a major step into the esports world by partnering with Riot Games as the exclusive crypto exchange for global League of Legends and VALORANT events. The agreement marks a major return of cryptocurrency sponsorships in competitive gaming following Riot’s prior FTX deal, which collapsed in 2022.
The announcement comes ahead of the VALORANT Masters tournament in Toronto, which kicks off on June 7. As part of the agreement, Coinbase will sponsor key segments across Riot’s esports platforms, which include League of Legends’ Mid-Season Invitational, Worlds, and First Stand, as well as VALORANT’s Champions Tour events.
Further, Coinbase will also deliver in-game features such as Econ Report for VALORANT and Gold Grind for League of Legends. Each segment will share the real-time economic insights of each game to help the audience understand the teams’ strategic methods and in-game decision-making.
Coinbase will also offer fans exclusive rewards through digital drops. These include redeemable icons, emotes, and the chance to win travel packages to major competitions. The collaboration will extend to social media campaigns and broadcast activations throughout the esports season.
The company hinted at future innovations powered by Web3. Although details are limited, Coinbase stated that it plans to explore how blockchain tools can enhance the esports experience. Riot and Coinbase will collaborate on activations that span technical integrations and community-focused promotions.
This partnership follows Riot’s seven-year crypto sponsorship with FTX that ended abruptly when FTX filed for bankruptcy in 2022. The original contract was reportedly valued at around $100 million, but much of the funding never materialized.
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Now, Riot turns to Coinbase to fill the crypto sponsorship gap. Riot described Coinbase as a digital-first company with a strong record in sports partnerships. The exchange has previously collaborated with the NBA, WNBA, Golden State Warriors, and Formula One’s Aston Martin Aramco team. Further, it also has ties to Team Liquid, a prominent name in esports.
By joining forces with Riot Games, Coinbase deepens its presence in competitive gaming, especially among Web3 audiences. With League of Legends and VALORANT boasting large fan bases, Riot and Coinbase hope to engage digital-native communities through content, giveaways, and blockchain-enabled experiences.
According to both companies, the goal is to support esports growth while educating players and fans about digital assets. For Coinbase, the move offers brand visibility and engagement with millions of esports fans worldwide, while Riot expects to deliver fresh, interactive content in a fast-evolving digital economy.
