Movember becomes Official Mental Health Partner for LEC and VCT EMEA

Riot Games has announced a multi-year partnership with Movember to become its Official Mental Health Partner for League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, and Game Changers EMEA Championship. The company will be supporting players, team staff, and the wider community for the two upcoming seasons.

Movember joins EMEA Esports to bring mental health training

According to a release, the partnership will see the integration of mental health and wellbeing frameworks across all three leagues, giving teams tools and resources to manage competitive pressure and build healthier habits.

The initiatives include mental health training for all players and staff, player-only roundtables for stress and coping strategies, and providing cascade content for the wider esports community. Movember will also be featured on the broadcast and on-site during events to reduce the stigma around honest discussions and highlight the importance of mental health. With Movember joining, the LEC counts on an increasing list of partners, including car maker Kia, snack brand KitKat, Marriott Bonvoy, Red Bull, and HyperX, among others.

Founded in 2003, the charity has raised over AUD $1.3 billion (~€745m) for men’s health, tackling both physical and mental health challenges as well as suicide prevention. Given the intense schedule and stressful environment in the esports scene, Riot Games is looking to help players, such as young rookies, by addressing the concerns about burnout and psychological consequences caused by the competition.

Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports EMEA, commented on the announcement:

Supporting the wellbeing of the VCT EMEA community, our players, and team staff is something we are committed to strengthening, so we’re thrilled to welcome Movember as a partner. While supporting open conversations and ensuring our players know trusted resources are available is a priority, this partnership also helps raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing across the wider VCT EMEA community. Movember’s expertise will help normalize these discussions beyond the competitive stage, and provide the tools so everyone connected to our ecosystem feels supported by professionals committed to making a positive impact.