Reshaping eSports: Riot Games takes equity stake in GRID

Game publisher Riot Games has taken an equity stake in GRID, cementing the company’s commitment to competitive esports data integrity.

The two companies have a long-standing collaborative partnership which goes back a number of years.

Riot Games and game data platform GRID amplify collaboration

The extended partnership will strengthen GRID’s position as the official worldwide esports data partner for both the VALORANT Champions Tour and League of Legends esports.

Equity investment and long-term commitment

Riot Games is investing in a long-term strategic commitment to upscale competitive esports data integrity. This move will elevate player experience and leverage data to benefit professional esports teams and the broader Riot Esports community.

Doug Watson, Head of Business Strategy, Global Esports at Riot Games, spoke about the partnership’s significance, stating, “Through our partnership, we can grow the presence of official esports data in Riot’s ecosystem and the industry, enabling growth, innovation, and more entertainment value for the fans.”

GRID as the Sole Provider of Real-Time Esports Data

Previously an exclusive data partner for the VALORANT Champions Tour, GRID will now be the sole distributor of real-time official esports data for Riot Games’ flagship products – VALORANT and League of Legends. GRID’s Data Platform will also serve as the exclusive provider of data infrastructure solutions for the VALORANT Champions Tour and League of Legends esports.

This consolidates GRID’s position in the esports data landscape, marking a departure from its exclusive partnership with Bayes Esports for League of Legends data distribution. With live official data available on GRID’s platform from the beginning of the 2024-25 season, the partnership is set to move into a new era of data-driven experiences for esports enthusiasts.

Successful collaborations

GRID’s collaboration with Riot Games follows a series of successful partnerships, including a joint venture with Ubisoft for the Rainbow Six Siege ecosystem. Beyond gaming giants like Riot and Ubisoft, GRID has forged alliances with industry leaders such as Pinnacle, esports solutions provider Abios, and integrity services provider US Integrity.

Moritz Maurer, CEO and Founder of GRID, expressed enthusiasm about contributing to the future of Riot Games’ esports with GRID’s technology and the pivotal role data plays in advancing competitive ecosystems.

Gaming industry’s landscape of strategic alliances

The Riot Games and GRID partnership exemplifies the dynamic landscape of strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions within the gaming industry. The robust M&A appetite, signalling a period of significant movement and strategic manoeuvres. As companies strategically align and consolidate forces, the esports sector is also becoming an increasingly intriguing space, offering stakeholders and market observers an exciting narrative of innovation, growth and enhanced entertainment value. The unfolding developments in the gaming industry and esports, make it a compelling arena to watch, adding depth to the fast-paced evolution of the sector.

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