VALORANT announces new Manila server for Southeast Asia players

Riot Games has officially announced the launch of a new VALORANT Manila server, set to go live with Patch 11.04 on August 19, 2025. This server will be the sixth in the Asia Pacific region, aimed at providing better connectivity and improved in-game performance for players in the Philippines.

Why Manila and Why Now?

Over the last five years, VALORANT’s Southeast Asian player base has grown significantly, especially in the Philippines. Riot Games expressed gratitude for this support, stating that the decision to launch a dedicated Manila server is part of their ongoing effort to make the game more accessible worldwide.

Currently, most Filipino players connect through the Hong Kong server, which has served the region well but suffers from infrastructure limitations affecting ping and stability. The new Manila server is expected to lower latency, reduce instability, and improve overall connectivity for players in the Philippines.

The Manila VALORANT server will be available as an additional option and not a replacement. This means Filipino players can choose to stay on the Hong Kong server if they prefer.

Impact on the Hong Kong Server

Some players expressed concerns about how this shift might impact the Hong Kong server’s population. Riot clarified that player numbers in the server should remain healthy, and matchmaking quality on the Hong Kong server is expected to remain strong.

Riot also confirmed that the introduction of the Manila server will not affect Premier eligibility. Top-performing Premier teams on the new server will remain part of the Asia zone, competing under the Challengers Southeast Asia league.

Looking Ahead

With the launch date fast approaching, Riot’s teams are finalizing preparations to ensure a smooth rollout on August 19.

For Filipino players, the Manila server marks a major step towards better gameplay and fairer matchmaking, strengthening the region’s position in the VALORANT competitive scene.

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Featured Image Source: Riot Games