Riot Games’ EMEA esports leadership has shared its perspectives on the 2025 competitive season across VALORANT and League of Legends. In the comments below, Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA, and Artem Bykov, LEC Commissioner, highlight the moments they were most proud of last year — from live events and broadcast experimentation to competitive milestones and fan engagement — offering a region-focused view of how the season unfolded.
As 2025 drew to a close, we gathered reflections from esports industry leaders on the year. Read more from our ongoing “Reflections” series in this link.
Artem Bykov, LEC Commissioner:
Reflecting on 2025, what I’m most proud of is how the LEC [League of Legends EMEA Championship] and the wider EMEA League of Legends ecosystem continued to grow in confidence and identity. This was a year where the work behind the scenes truly showed on stage, from stronger team performances, such as G2 making it to the Worlds Quarterfinals and Karmine Corp reaching the inaugural First Stand Finals, to emerging rookies such as G2 SkewMond and KC Caliste making their mark. We also saw regional storylines that captured the attention of fans across EMEA, with three distinct LEC Split Champions: Karmine Corp, Movistar KOI and G2 Esports, respectively earning a title throughout the year and contributing to one of our most competitive years yet.
A particular highlight was seeing our Roadtrip events come to life for the first time. Each stop had its own character, and the passion of the local communities created an atmosphere even more electric than the already exhilarating studio days. Those moments reminded us of the importance of bringing the LEC closer to the fans who fuel the league.
I’m also proud of what we achieved around the LEC Summer Finals this year. It was a defining moment for us this year, not just competitively, but in how we brought players closer to the game. The atmosphere in the arena, combined with the ever-expanding LEC XPO and the fan experiences around it, created a magical weekend that felt like a true celebration of our community. To see that momentum reflected in the numbers, with 2025 becoming the LEC’s most-viewed season ever, was an incredible testament to the work from everyone involved.
Above all, I’m proud of the people behind the scenes: the players, teams, production staff and broadcast talent who worked tirelessly to deliver a season that felt fresh and ambitious. Their dedication shaped many of the moments fans will remember from 2025, and it’s their commitment that makes this ecosystem so exciting to build for the future.
Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA:
Looking back at 2025, I’m incredibly proud of how the VCT [VALORANT Champions Tour] EMEA fans and players continued to push boundaries and deliver memorable experiences. One of the standout moments was the Game Changers EMEA Stage 3 Grand Final in Istanbul. It wasn’t just the end of the regional season, it was a celebration of women in VALORANT and the electric atmosphere inside the arena truly reflected that. Seeing the energy, engagement, and passion from the players and community made it an unforgettable milestone, not just for Game Changers, but for the region as well.
I’m also proud of how we elevated our production this year. We brought our analyst desk outside for parts of this summer’s broadcast in Berlin, leaning fully into summer vibes that let us inject a different kind of energy into the show. The reaction was incredibly positive, as it created a more engaged environment for viewers. Ultimately, it brought them closer to the action in a brand new way. We were also able to replicate this for the Stage 2 Grand Final, where fan predictions were showcased in the Riot Games Arena’s concourse. From the team behind the cameras to the talent on stage, everyone stepped up to deliver a truly special experience.
Finally, celebrating five years of VALORANT this year brought the VALORANT community to life and was amazing to see. Being a part of this journey from day one and watching the game grow from a bold new IP into one of the world’s most vibrant FPS titles has been extraordinary. Seeing so many of the original players still competing, alongside a sea of familiar faces in the crowd, is a constant reminder of the passion, resilience, and joy that continues to drive this game forward.
Follow The Esports Radar on social media:
