Movember has been named the official mental health partner of several major Riot Games esports leagues in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, marking a multi-year effort to formalize mental health support within top-tier competitive gaming.

Riot Games announced that the global men’s health charity will partner with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, and the Game Changers EMEA Championship for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The partnership focuses on players, team staff and the broader esports community, with an emphasis on mental wellbeing amid the pressures of professional competition.

Under the agreement, Movember will work alongside Riot to embed mental health frameworks and resources across the leagues. Planned initiatives include structured mental health training for players and staff, player-only roundtable discussions centered on stress management and coping strategies, and the development of guidance intended to be shared more widely across the esports ecosystem.

Riot officials said the partnership is designed not only to provide direct support, but also to encourage more open conversations around mental health. Messaging related to mental wellbeing will appear during broadcasts and at live events, with the stated goal of reducing stigma and normalizing the use of professional support resources.

Movember Becomes Official Mental Health Partner of LEC and VCT EMEA Esport Teams

Daniel Ringland, head of VALORANT Esports in EMEA, said the collaboration reflects a growing recognition of the mental demands placed on competitors and staff. He noted that Movember’s involvement will help ensure trusted resources are visible and accessible, while extending mental health awareness beyond the competitive stage.

League of Legends Esports EMEA Director Maximilian Peter Schmidt echoed that sentiment, describing the partnership as a step toward strengthening a healthy and supportive environment for players and teams. He said the initiative aims to empower individuals within the community to speak openly about challenges and seek help when needed.

From Movember’s perspective, esports represents an opportunity to reach new audiences. Dan Cooper, the organization’s global director of innovations, said the partnership aligns with Movember’s focus on community-based solutions to mental health challenges and its broader mission to drive positive change.

The announcement comes as esports organizations increasingly acknowledge issues around burnout, stress and long-term wellbeing in professional gaming. More information about the leagues is available through Riot’s official esports websites.