VALORANT Mobile could give mobile esports the push it needs — here’s why

VALORANT Mobile is already one of the most anticipated esports games of 2025, and for good reason. Developer Riot Games re-announced the game in April this year, letting fans know that this will be the full experience of the 5v5 free-to-play first-person shooter (FPS) that’s been available on PC since 2020 and on consoles since 2024.

However, mobile esports is still seen as a small fish in a big esports pond. The word ‘mobile’ still has a connotation that it’s a neutered experience, that it’s the ‘lite’ version of the main game found on other platforms. In 2025, that’s not the case, with mobile devices at a stage where they can run games like Alien: Isolation, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown, and Resident Evil 2 Remake with ease.

It’s why, after Mobile’s announcement, it’s clear how this port is the same experience as on consoles and PC, but with two exclusive maps, as well as the six original maps and 16 Agents to choose from in each match. Riot Games has confirmed that a rollout in China will begin soon, but there are no VALORANT Mobile download links as yet to try it out yourself.

With this in mind, here’s why VALORANT Mobile has a real chance to give mobile esports a big push into the mainstream, where playing the game on an Android or iPhone device is as common as playing League of Legends on a PC.

Developed by Riot Games, VALORANT Mobile is a free-to-play 5v5 first-person shooter that is a spinoff of its console counterpart, originally released in 2018. This mobile port was announced in 2021, with no news until April 2025, when the game was re-announced via X.

One of the most popular esports games since its debut in 2020, has a player base of around 18 million, which is supported by monthly game patches and many competitive tournaments held worldwide every year. VALORANT is set to be a big hit at the Esports World Cup (EWC) when the Americas qualifying rounds begin on May 16, which could be a great time to see more of VALORANT Mobile.

A small rollout in China will begin in the next few months, but Riot Games has yet to confirm when VALORANT Mobile will launch in other countries.

Mobile esports has gained a lot of traction in recent years, with Android and iPhone users able to play popular esports games like Fortnite and PUBG with console players. In 2024, mobile esports reportedly brought in $139.2 billion, breaking previous records. Other games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang continue to attract new and existing players, with new content almost every month.

However, there’s still a viewpoint that mobile esports could be bigger. Although you get the full experience of Fortnite, PUBG, and other games on mobile devices, there still seems to be an impression that a smaller device means a lesser experience, which isn’t the case. There’s also the factor of main esports events like EVO and Call of Duty League not having dedicated segments for mobile matches. Currently, it’s left to other events like Ignite Tournaments to pick up the mobile mantle.

Ultimately, there seems to be a faint awareness of just how big mobile esports is, but prolific events like those mentioned aren’t doing enough to showcase it. Much like how Fortnite and PUBG introduced the battle-royale genre to esports tournaments, VALORANT Mobile could make a similar impact on mobile esports.

VALORANT Mobile has the potential to change the mobile esports playing field in several ways. Currently, there are an estimated 210 million players for Call of Duty: Mobile, but the casual player wouldn’t know it. This is where Riot Games can leverage its strong PC presence and showcase how VALORANT Mobile can be the best way to play the shooter on the go.

If you look at both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, there isn’t a prominent section for mobile esports. Riot Games would do well to look into promoting VALORANT Mobile on these storefronts to showcase how the same experience is coming to millions of iPhone and Android devices, once they announce availability outside of China, and the VALORANT Mobile Beta period concludes. This could result in a successful mobile launch that could help make the genre more accessible to new players or others who haven’t used their mobile devices as a gaming handheld before. It could also raise awareness of mobile esports thanks to the push from Riot Games, and perhaps attract investment and advertising opportunities.

Lastly, we’ve already seen console-quality games appear on Apple’s devices, such as Resident Evil 4 Remake and Death Stranding Director’s Cut. The message that there’s no compromise when a game comes to mobile devices should always be present with VALORANT Mobile’s release, so that the same experience will be everywhere for players.

Ultimately, success would be high player engagement, a far bigger awareness of mobile esports than before, and dedicated events for VALORANT Mobile and possibly other esports games already available on Android and iOS devices. It seems that the opportunity is there for the taking — it’s simply up to Riot Games to seize it.

Although mobile esports is already a big business, it could be so much bigger. With Fortnite and PUBG proving that the full esports experience can come to mobile devices, it feels as though that’s fallen by the wayside in recent years.

It’s why Riot Games has a real opportunity with VALORANT Mobile to accelerate mobile esports as a successful, legitimate platform, which has untapped potential for investment and revenue for other developers.