Riot Games Arena
Three esports arenas operated by Riot Games across three continents.
Riot Games operates three esports venues under the name Riot Games Arena, located in Los Angeles, Berlin, and São Paulo. Each arena serves as the primary competition space and broadcast studio for one or both of Riot’s regional leagues in League of Legends and the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). These facilities also occasionally host international tournaments for both games. However, not all league matches take place in these arenas, as some games are scheduled as roadshows in other locations.
The Los Angeles arena is part of Riot Games’ global headquarters in the western part of the city and hosts the LCS and VCT Americas. It opened in 2013 as the LCS Arena and was renamed Riot Games Arena in 2023, when it also became the main venue for VCT Americas. Major renovations completed in early 2023 added an 18-inch-high stage, over 1,000 LED screens, and a modular stage setup to accommodate both leagues. Besides the LCS and VCT Americas, the arena has hosted select NACL games, the 2015 and 2017 League of Legends All-Star events, a WWE vs. NXT online special, the 2018 and 2019 Rift Rivals: Blue Rift, and will host the play-in stage of the 2026 League of Legends World Championship—its first international League event. Additional facilities include a pre- and post-game studio, a PC café, a cafeteria with arcade games, and a merchandise store.
The Berlin arena is located in the Adlershof quarter of Treptow-Köpenick and hosts the LEC and VCT EMEA. Riot moved its Germany office and league studio from Cologne to Berlin in 2014, after the EU LCS had been held in Cologne from 2013 to 2014. Renovation plans were announced in November 2023, and the venue was renamed Riot Games Arena. Work finished in January 2024, resulting in an amphitheater-style setup with six warm-up rooms, huddle areas, and dedicated spaces for casters and co-streamers. The arena has hosted the play-in stage of the 2019 League of Legends World Championship, the play-in and Swiss stages of the 2024 World Championship, and the 2024 Valorant Game Changers Championship. It also contains a food bar connected to a lounge, a merchandise shop, and a pre- and post-game studio.
The São Paulo arena is in the Barra Funda district and hosts the CBLOL. Matches began there as early as 2015, two years after the league’s inception.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Esports venues
- Known for
- Hosting League of Legends and Valorant Champions Tour regional leagues
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles opened in 2013 as the LCS Arena, hosting the League Championship Series. It was renamed in 2023 after renovations that included an 18-inch high stage with over 1,000 LED screens and a modular stage set-up, coinciding with the addition of the Valorant Champions Tour Americas. The arena is part of Riot Games' global headquarters in western Los Angeles and has hosted events such as the 2015 and 2017 League of Legends All-Star, Rift Rivals, and will host the play-in stage of the 2026 League of Legends World Championship.
The Berlin arena opened in 2014 after Riot Games moved its Germany office and league studio from Cologne. It hosts the LEC and VCT EMEA. Renovations completed in January 2024 added an amphitheater-style setup with warm-up rooms and huddle areas. The venue has hosted the play-in stage of the 2019 League of Legends World Championship, the play-in and Swiss stages of the 2024 World Championship, and the 2024 Valorant Game Changers Championship.
The São Paulo arena, located in the Barra Funda district, began hosting CBLOL matches as early as 2015. It suffered flood damage during the 2020 CBLOL first split, causing postponement. After a pandemic hiatus, it reopened in March 2022 following renovations. A second major renovation occurred before the 2025 LTA season, and it was renamed Riot Games Arena. It hosted the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational play-in stage and VCT Ascension Americas in 2023 and 2025.
Reader's Guide
The Riot Games Arena venues represent a significant investment by Riot Games in dedicated physical infrastructure for its esports leagues. By establishing permanent arenas in Los Angeles, Berlin, and São Paulo, the company created centralized hubs for its regional competitions in League of Legends and Valorant, providing consistent production quality and fan experiences. The arenas have also served as hosts for international tournaments, including the League of Legends World Championship and the Mid-Season Invitational, elevating their importance beyond regional play. The renovations and name changes in 2023 and 2024 reflect the expansion of the Valorant Champions Tour into these spaces, integrating two major esports titles under one roof. While the arenas are primary venues, not all games are played there due to roadshow scheduling. The facilities include studios, merchandise shops, and other amenities, supporting both live audiences and broadcast production. Their existence has helped professionalize esports presentation and provided a physical home for competitive gaming communities in three key global markets.
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