Mumbai: Riot Games today announced the successful conclusion of Lenovo and Intel-sponsored Convergence, its first-ever international VALORANT esports tournament held in India in partnership with The Esports Club. Hosted at the Manpho Convention Centre in Bangalore, Convergence showcased the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT gameplay, celebrating skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The tournament, which spanned over four days, saw over 10,000 attendees visit on-ground to support six of the finest VALORANT teams from across the globe.
The championship match, held in front of an enthusiastic live audience and streamed to millions of viewers globally, showcased intense showdowns and breathtaking plays. After a nail-biting finale match, FUT Esports emerged triumphant, solidifying their place in history as the first ever champions of Convergence. Their exemplary teamwork, precision, and unwavering determination set a new standard for excellence in VALORANT esports.
Convergence successfully met all of Riot Games’ set objectives concerning viewership, production quality, competitive standards, and fan engagement, including achieving the remarkable feat of organically trending as the #1 topic on Twitter in India for two consecutive days. The event also featured various engaging activities for attendees, including fan meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise stalls, and community-driven initiatives, creating a memorable experience for gaming enthusiasts.
“We are thankful to the players, teams, sponsors, partners, and especially our Indian fans for making Convergence 2023 an unparalleled success,” said Riot Games esports lead, India and South Asia Sukamal Pegu. “The passion displayed by our fans is our driving force and serves as a constant source of inspiration. Congratulations to FUT Esports for their exceptional performance and to all participating teams for their dedication and sportsmanship. Convergence will be back with a bigger and more exciting edition in 2024.”
Riot Games country manager, India and South Asia Arun Rajappa said, “Convergence was the perfect finale to a year of exciting initiatives in India and South Asia, from celebrating VALORANT’s anniversary with fans at gaming cafes, to cheering on teams at the VCSA, to giving back to the community at Harbor’s anniversary event. We were also thrilled to bring amazing influencers together at Radiant Retreat. It’s been a fantastic journey, and we can’t wait to bring even more games and experiences to our players in the region in 2024.”
Riot Games has been actively engaged in fostering community engagement through multiple initiatives over the past year. Earlier this year, Riot Games celebrated the one-year anniversary of VALORANT’s first-ever Indian agent Harbor by conducting a beach clean-up with the Indian gaming community, and also commemorated the third anniversary of VALORANT in India with BHARAT VALORANT celebrations.
