Riot Games Korea renew financial support for 2022

Riot Games Korea announced the extension of the Valorant esports team support program, with plans to continue providing structural and financial incentives to teams in the region. Before we dive into the specifics of the changes in the program for the upcoming year, let’s take a look at what the program initially entailed, and the success it has experienced.

Around the same time last year, the regional Riot Games website released a blog containing details about the new program through which selected teams from the region would receive a total of KRW 50 million (roughly $45K) throughout the year. The eligibility requirements and the ensuing selection process were quite rigorous and only 8 teams were selected into the program. However, the participating teams did experience ample successes in their tournament runs as a result with NUTURN advancing to the quarterfinals at VCT 2021 - Stage 2 - Masters Reykjavík and the DRX reaching quarterfinals at VCT 2021 - Stage 3 - Masters Berlin - Playoffs and representing the region at the recently concluded VCT 2021 - VALORANT Champions 2021.

With so many teams populating the scene, it can be difficult to single out a handful that receives the financial support. However, in such circumstances, formulating and adhering to a strict set of rules can be beneficial to remove any biases and reach a fair decision; therefore, Riot has made the criteria of eligibility extremely clear:

• Teams that advance to the Challengers finals in each stage.
• Must have a formal contract with 5 or more players and 1 or more coaching staff non-compliance with these minimum eligibility requirements).
• A monthly salary of at least KRW 1.2 million (~$1k) or equivalent compensation must be paid to all players and coaching staff who participated in each stage.
• At least 50% of the total prize money must be distributed to the players and coaching staff who participated in each stage.
• Must have at least one person in charge of the Secretariat, excluding the submitted players and coaching staff.
• All players, coaching staff, and secretariat staff must abide by the Valorant esports policies, competition rules, and terms and conditions (terms of service, operation policies, etc.) may be forfeited.

Team Support Program 2022

Essentially, for each stage of VCT 2022, a total of 8 Valorant teams will receive KRW 25 million ($21k) after an internal screening by Riot Games to assess the teams' compliance with the 'minimum qualifying requirements' mentioned above. This assessment will take place at the start of each stage; therefore, will be held twice in the entirety of next year. Apart from the conditions mentioned above, teams who do not construct and run a camp environment will only earn KRW 15 million ($12,650) bonus every stage as opposed to KRW 25 million (~$21k) for those who an operating environment such as accommodation, computers, and equipment, meals and snacks, bedding, rest areas, etc).

How to Apply for the program?

The method to apply required forms and deadlines hasn’t been made public and candidates who manage to qualify for the finals will be notified separately. Nonetheless, organizations should have the following documents to be considered:

• Copy of business registration certificate
• A certified copy of corporate registration (required to be issued within 3 months)
• Team roster holdings
• The coaching staff and player contract status (contract period, compensation, prize distribution conditions, etc.)
• Secretariat status (description of the current organizational structure and key personnel)
• Dormitory facilities and welfare status