Riot’s new 2023 schedule opens door for VALORANT to become top esport in North America

There doesn’t seem to be anything slowing down VALORANT. And while League of Legends continues to be the top Riot Games-produced esport across the entire world, it’s clear that the company is forging a path for its tactical first-person shooter to be the top draw in North America.

Prior to the start of the 2023 esports season, Riot announced sweeping schedule changes that saw the upcoming VCT Americas league (home of top-tier NA, Latin America, and Brazilian VALORANT) take the “prime time” broadcast days of Saturday and Sunday at 2pm CT, with 2pm CT Monday matches as well. This spot, which was previously occupied by the LCS, being presented to NA VALORANT indicates a shifting of the tides and a shifting of Riot’s priority on the western edge of the Atlantic.