adminEsports mental health is the focus of a new multi-year partnership between Riot Games and Movember. The collaboration makes Movember the official mental health partner of the League of Legends EMEA Championship, the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA and Game Changers EMEA, with plans to support people across the region’s competitive gaming community.
Image credit: Riot Games / Movember
How the esports mental health partnership will work
Movember will provide tools, training and initiatives for players, team staff and the wider community. The organizations say the goal is to make wellbeing a more established part of the EMEA esports environment, rather than limiting support to conversations that happen only during competition.
Planned activities include roundtables for players on topics such as stress, competitive pressure and coping strategies. The partnership will also include messages at broadcasts and event venues intended to reduce stigma and encourage people to speak openly about mental health.
For viewers and community members, these public messages can help make wellbeing resources and conversations more visible. Players and staff can use the planned roundtables to discuss the specific pressures associated with competition and consider practical ways to manage them.
What Riot Games and Movember say about wellbeing
Riot Games and Movember said their shared aim is to help create a healthier gaming environment for everyone. Their announcement places players, team staff and the wider community within the scope of the work.
Daniel Ringland, Head of Valorant Esports, EMEA, said Riot is committed to strengthening support for the VCT EMEA community. He noted that the partnership is intended both to encourage open discussion and to make trusted resources known to players. Ringland also said Movember’s expertise could help make mental health conversations more common beyond the competitive stage.
Maximilian Peter Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports EMEA, said the agreement builds on Riot’s commitment to the wellbeing of players and teams. He emphasized the importance of helping the community feel able to discuss challenges and know that resources are available when needed. Schmidt also described gaming as a space that should be safe and healthy for everyone.
Why support across the esports ecosystem matters
Competitive gaming involves more than what happens during a match. Players and team staff are part of a wider environment that includes training, events and community interaction. The partnership’s planned combination of training, player discussions and public messaging addresses several parts of that environment.
People following the participating competitions can look out for the announced wellbeing messages at broadcasts and events. Anyone experiencing stress should consider speaking with a trusted person or qualified professional; public awareness campaigns are not a substitute for individual support.
Key takeaway on esports mental health
The Riot Games and Movember partnership aims to make esports mental health a more visible and supported part of League of Legends and Valorant competition in EMEA. Its planned resources, training and conversations are intended to reach players, staff and the broader community over the multi-year agreement.
