Why Riot Games postponed the VCT EMEA matches

The esports scene is ever-expanding, with more games continuing to jump into the mainstream eye. Valorant is a unique case, as the game climbed the ranks so quickly thanks to its already-established developer. With so many known and popular teams like Sentinels and G2 Esports, countless fans tune in to the VCT tournaments.

However, not everything is good. Thanks to some technical issues, Riot Games ^[1] ended up postponing a handful of VCT EMEA matches, including some fan-favorite ones. With so many known players voicing their concerns and publicly criticizing Riot Games for their lack of professionalism, it remains to be seen what changes.

Here’s why Riot Games postponed some VCT EMEA matches, and what the results of this may be.

Why did Riot Games postpone VCT EMEA matches?

Riot Games postponed the VCT EMEA matches on April 25 due to technical issues that disrupted gameplay. The decision came after four lengthy tech pauses during the Team Liquid vs Ketamine Corp match, which stretched the first map to three hours. Players reported stuttering, unoptimized PCs, and frequent setting changes, forcing organizers to move matches online with 30ms ping, a disadvantage for professionals who are used to lower latency.

Players like Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev and Tyson “TenZ” Ngo have publicly criticized the league’s failure to address equipment issues. Derke highlighted subpar monitors and unstable PCs, noting that Riot has been ignoring these complaints since franchising began three years ago. TenZ, who retired partly due to these issues, called it “disheartening” that the company doesn’t provide the best teams with optimal conditions for competitive play. Kamel “Kameto” Kebir, co-owner of Karmine Corp, announced a boycott until Riot Games resolves the problems.

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Will Riot Games fix VCT EMEA’s long-standing issues?

The league has promised to fix the schedule and address concerns, including forming a player council for feedback. However, with years of unaddressed issues, players and fans doubt the company. As Derke stated, “We’ve raised these concerns every split, every year,” emphasizing the need for improvements to bring back confidence in the game’s competitive scene.

Fans expressed frustration over missed experiences, with some traveling from Japan, Australia, and Europe and finding out that matches are postponed. FNATIC’s Jake “Boaster” Howlett apologized to supporters and offered to meet those still at the arena. Riot Games issued refunds for ticket holders, but the backlash grew as fans compared VCT EMEA to VCT Americas, where players enjoy higher FPS and smoother gameplay.

References

1. [1] "Riot games". www.riotgames.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025