Riot Games EMEA and Movember will collaborate to support players and team staff through initiatives focused on mental health.
Talking about mental health is still a hard topic in the esports scenario. Still, Movember wants to bring those conversations to the table in a new partnership with Riot Games EMEA. The foundation will be working directly with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the VCT, and the Game Changers EMEA.
Movember x Riot Games EMEA
On Jan. 20, Riot Games EMEA announced a multi-year partnership with Movember, a foundation dedicated to addressing men's health issues worldwide. In the 2026 and 2027 seasons, the partnership will integrate mental health and wellbeing frameworks. It will also develop support systems and initiatives across the European leagues.
The foundation will deliver tools and resources to help teams manage competitive pressure. They will also help the teams develop healthier habits and foster open conversations around mental health. This won't be only directed to the players, but also to the staff.
Speaking on the partnership, Daniel Ringland, head of VALORANT Esports EMEA, stressed the need to provide “the tools so everyone connected to our ecosystem feels supported by professionals committed to making a positive impact.”
Throughout the season, multiple initiatives will roll out. They include mental health training, player-only roundtables on handling pressure and building coping mechanisms, and continued guidance for the esports community.
During official broadcasts, Movember will share messages promoting mental health awareness. The initiative aims to encourage open dialogue and reduce the stigma surrounding these conversations.
Regarding the Game Changers circuit, Riot Games and Movember will explore opportunities to host workshops or roundtables that draw on Movember’s expertise to further support Game Changers EMEA players.
Mental health in esports
Mental health remains a taboo topic within the esports scene. Many professional players begin their careers at a very young age, meaning they are often required to handle intense pressure and complex emotions before fully developing the tools to manage them.
At a team level, players can also face stressors such as communication breakdowns, interpersonal conflicts, and antisocial or “toxic” behaviors. These challenges were highlighted in a study by Jolan Kegelaers and several other researchers in a recent study on promoting mental health in esports.
These initiatives are essential for helping players and team staff manage the pressures of elite competition while reducing the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
