Riot Games Expands Support for Nordic Esports with The Gathering

Valorant to Power Up a Bigger Prize Pool & community activations

Riot Games is proud to announce that they will be increasing the prize pool of The Gathering LAN event in Norway, as well as hosting a Riot Games booth across all four days of the event, marking the first step in a wider initiative to level up the Nordic grassroots esports scene.

Biger Prize Pool, Bigger Competition

Riot Games has committed to raising the prize pool for The Gathering’s VALORANT tournament by a total of 25,000 kroner. This means that the first place prize will become 65,000 NOK, up from 50,000 NOK previously. The second and third place prizes have also each been increased by 5,000 kroner, making them 25,000 NOK and 10,000 NOK respectively.

The new prize pool is:

First place: 65,000 NOK
Second place: 25,000 NOK
Third place: 10,000 NOK

This increased investment in The Gathering signals the beginning of a region-wide commitment to supporting grassroots esports across the Nordics. Creators and representatives from Riot Games will also be in attendance at the event to meet players and provide engaging IRL experiences for fans.

Valorant at The Gathering

Across all four days, Riot Games will be on-site offering a range of interactive activities, tournaments, and community-focused events:

Daily Competitions – Deathmatch and Escalation tournaments with exclusive prizes.
VALORANT Quiz – Test your knowledge on the main stage.
Community Experiences – Take part in the Defuse the Spike challenge, snap photos at the custom VALORANT photo wall, and meet popular VALORANT creators.

Whether you’re attending with your lifelong duo or a freshly formed five-stack, Riot Games is creating opportunities for players to connect, compete, and celebrate their love for VALORANT.

Markus Gür, Riot Games Brand Management Supervisor for the Nordics said:

”The Nordic gaming community is one of the most passionate and dedicated in the world, and we’re thrilled to deepen our investment in grassroots esports with The Gathering. By increasing the VALORANT tournament prize pool and bringing unique on-site experiences for players and fans, we’re reinforcing our commitment to creating opportunities for competition, connection, and celebration. This is just the beginning of our broader vision for supporting Nordic esports, and we can’t wait to see the community come together at The Gathering.”

Henriette Olsen, Head of Esports for The Gathering commented:

”For decades, The Gathering has been a hub for gaming enthusiasts, fostering competition, creativity, and community. Riot Games’ support for the Nordic esports scene is a major step in strengthening grassroots competition. The increased VALORANT prize pool and on-site activities will elevate the experience for both players and fans. With Riot Games on board, this year’s event will offer more esports opportunities while staying true to the community-driven spirit of The Gathering.”