Riot Games will host a nationwide VALORANT tournament in South Korea this winter, offering a hybrid competition format that blends online play with offline matches at local PC cafés. The National VALORANT Cup (NVC) will run for approximately one month beginning Dec. 8, according to an announcement from Riot Games. The tournament is open to players across the country with no tier or regional restrictions. Participants must be at least 15 years old and reside in South Korea, while foreign players must hold a Korean server account.

Teams must consist of five to six players. To support team formation, organizers will operate a dedicated NVC Discord server throughout the registration and competition period. The tournament is backed by several major partners, including Nongshim Redforce, Pulsar, and Acer, and is designed to connect online competition with in-person play at select venues.

Nationwide Tournament to Be Held Online and at Redforce PC Cafés

Applications for NVC will be accepted from Dec. 8 through Dec. 21, with online qualifiers scheduled to begin Dec. 24. Following the online stage, offline regional qualifiers will be held at Redforce PC cafés across eight regions nationwide.

The main online event is set for Jan. 10, 2026, with the grand final scheduled to take place offline in Seoul on Jan. 17. The exact venue for the final will be announced at a later date. Riot Games said beverages will be provided to players who advance to the offline qualifier stage at participating PC cafés, part of an effort to improve accessibility and enhance the live competition experience.

The tournament will feature a range of participation rewards. All registered players who complete at least one match will receive a reward, with additional incentives unlocked as teams advance. Players who complete their first match will receive limited-time emoticons for KakaoTalk. Those who earn their first victory will receive an in-game spray, while players who secure two wins will be awarded an extended mouse pad.

Prize money will be distributed to third- and fourth-place finishers. The runner-up will receive both prize money and Pulsar products, while the championship team will take home prize money, Pulsar products and a trophy.