Riot Games has revealed plans to launch an esports pub in East London this weekend in conjunction with Valorant Masters London’s Fan Fest.
The establishment, named The Phoenix Arms, will be situated in Hackney, East London. The pub is undergoing a complete transformation, with Big John overseeing the operation. Riot and Big John aim to recreate the ambiance of a traditional British sports pub for esports enthusiasts.
Expect to see bunting, flags, themed memorabilia, custom pub signage, and live screenings of the Masters London finals. It’s everything you would anticipate from a British pub during a major sporting event.
Entry is free throughout the weekend, and it is part of a larger Fan Fest at Hackney Bridge that will include live podcasts, appearances by creators, team activations, an Artist Alley, and an open-air watch party during the finals weekend.
The tournament began on June 6th and will conclude on June 21st, marking the first international Valorant tournament to be held in the UK. While the Finals weekend at the Copper Box Arena is sold out, millions more are expected to watch via Valorant’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
This initiative is part of Riot’s efforts to engage with the British community during Valorant Masters. They recently collaborated with Notion to showcase the unique arts and culture of the Valorant scene.
As for the competition, only four teams remain. EDG will face Paper Rex, while Vitality will take on Leviathan. The first matchup pits the two seeded playoff teams against each other, with the two remaining Swiss stage teams also vying for a spot in the finals on Sunday.
In terms of local support, Vitality is likely to be the fan favorite. This is largely due to the fact that they are the only remaining EU representatives after FUT and Heretics were eliminated. The other teams hail from South America, China, and Pacific nations, making this a truly global final and a great representation of the state of Valorant’s esports ecosystem.