FC Barcelona Continues to Embrace eSports With Launch Plans in Valorant

Posted on: November 14, 2023, 07:31h. 

Last updated on: November 15, 2023, 07:58h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

FC Barcelona has unveiled plans to enter the Valorant arena. It will reportedly field its team in LVP Rising, a prominent competition within the Spanish Challengers League.

FC Barcelona player Marc Guiu celebrates a goal against Bilbao
FC Barcelona player Marc Guiu celebrates a goal against Bilbao. The Spanish soccer club is expanding its interest in eSports with a new Valorant team. (Image: Getty Images)

The Barca Games initiative aims to extend the club’s influence in the eSports domain. Adding a Valorant team highlights Barcelona’s commitment to diversifying its presence in the digital sports landscape.

The Rising Series, recognized as the foremost Valorant competition in Spain, will serve as a key battleground for the Barça Valorant team to showcase its prowess.

This venture into Valorant follows Barcelona’s existing foray into eSports, with League of Legends (LoL) teams competing in the LVP Superliga since 2022. Although the Rocket League team disbanded in late 2021 after participating in various LAN events since 2019, Barcelona’s commitment to eSports remains evident.

X (formerly Twitter) user and professional gaming streamer Lembo posted about Barcelona’s new eSports endeavor, calling it a “leak.” The club hasn’t yet released an official statement about the launch.

The recent announcement aligns with a growing trend of soccer clubs expanding into eSports, showcasing the increasing synergy between traditional sports and the booming gaming industry. The move also comes on the heels of soccer legend Lionel Messi’s entry into the eSports scene. Along with former Argentine soccer player Sergio Agüero, he became part owner of KRÜ Esports, competing in the VCT Americas.

Barca Games Takes FC Barcelona to New Level

Barca Games represents the club’s ambitious leap into the expanding world of gaming and eSports. Set to launch in early April, Barca Games aims to create a dynamic and engaging platform beyond traditional sports.

This innovative venture is designed to showcase FC Barcelona’s commitment to embracing the digital era and connecting with fans in new and exciting ways. By entering the gaming space with Barca Games, the club is strategically aligning itself with the evolving interests of fans. It’s an opportunity to recognize the growing intersection between traditional sports and the expansive world of gaming and eSports.

Specific details about Barca Games are yet to be fully revealed. However, including a Valorant team in the LVP Rising hints at the platform’s potential multifaceted approach. It’s expected to offer a blend of competitive eSports content, gaming experiences, and perhaps, interactive fan engagement opportunities.

Valorant Continues to Gain Momentum

Valorant is already one of the most popular games in the eSports realm, and it isn’t slowing down. The Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) has emerged as a powerhouse in the competitive gaming scene.

The tournament’s popularity has skyrocketed, drawing in massive viewership and fostering a vibrant community of fans and players. Riot Games, the company behind Valorant, is set to enhance the VCT experience in 2024 with significant changes to elevate the competition.

In response to the dynamic nature of the gaming landscape, Riot Games is introducing modifications to the VCT’s format and structure. Each international league will have separate tournaments, including a debut tourney in Spain.

There will also be changes to how the VCT awards points. Now, they will be called Championship Points and are meant to be more closely aligned to performance goals. At the same time, the change could alter eSports betting as teams and players see quicker shifts in scoring than in previous tournaments.