Riot Games has entered a multi-year partnership with the men’s health organisation Movember, appointing it as the Official Mental Health Partner for its premier EMEA esports ecosystems.
The collaboration, announced on 20 January 2026 and spanning the 2026 and 2027 competitive seasons, is designed to proactively address the mental health and wellbeing of competitors and support staff within the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, and the Game Changers EMEA Championship.
According to a press release, the primary goal of the partnership is to embed structured mental health and wellbeing frameworks directly into the esports environment. Initiatives will focus on providing players and team staff with tools and resources to manage competitive pressure, develop healthier habits, and foster open conversations about psychological wellbeing.
Planned activities for the upcoming year include specialised mental health training for individuals within the leagues and player-only roundtables discussing stress management, with the intent to cascade insights to the broader community. Movember’s involvement will also extend to broadcast and on-site event messaging, aiming to highlight the importance of mental health and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA, stated: “Supporting the wellbeing of the VCT EMEA community, our players, and team staff is something we are committed to strengthening, so we’re thrilled to welcome Movember as a partner. Movember’s expertise will help normalize these discussions beyond the competitive stage, and provide the tools so everyone connected to our ecosystem feels supported by professionals committed to making a positive impact.”
Maximilian Peter Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports, EMEA, commented: “Partnering with Movember allows us to take our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our players and teams to the next level. We want our community to feel empowered to speak openly about the challenges they face and know resources are available if needed.”
The deal with Movember represents a significant, non-commercial partnership for Riot Games EMEA, contrasting with recent commercial sponsorships for its VALORANT circuits. One week earlier, The Esports Radar also reported that peripheral manufacturer Razer signed a multi-year deal to become the Official Gaming Chair Partner for VCT and Game Changers EMEA, following a similar sponsorship announcement with confectionery brand KitKat.
Dan Cooper, Global Director, Innovations at Movember, said: “Movember is committed to bring community first solutions to today’s most urgent mental health challenges. Esports is a focus area for our work in mental health, and by working with Riot Games we aim to have a real impact and drive positive change in esports.”
Movember has previously developed the Esports Mental Health Guidelines and commissioned research into mental health within gaming communities, signalling a dedicated strategy to engage with this demographic. According to the company, the charity has funded over 1,300 men’s health projects globally since its founding in 2003.
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