With the last CS:GO server turned off, and CS2 still in what feels like an extended beta period, there has never been a better moment for Valorant to stake its claim as the next competitive FPS.

For those not already familiar, Valorant combines the fun and variety of Hero games like 'Overwatch' with the tactics and intensity of 'Counter-Strike', resulting in a new yet familiar experience that gamers of any skill level can jump into. It’s easy to learn but hard to master, and taking the time to experiment with different heroes will give you an edge over your opponents in competitive play. Knowing which hero counters which adds another layer to the bomb plant/defusal gameplay loop we’re so familiar with in other games.

For Irish players in particular, many will now have their chance to put their money where their mouse is and see if they’re actually as good as their online rank says they are.

Virgin Media and Wylde have announced the Valorant A-Games – Ireland’s biggest Valorant event, and the search for their next pro team!

But other than bragging rights, what will the winner actually get? Well, they’ll have a shot at the €5,000 prize pool for one thing! And if that’s not enough, how about becoming an actual professional gamer – literally living the dream – by signing to WYLDE’s academy team?

Entries are now closed, but you haven’t missed your chance to be part of the action. After all, is it really a competition if the finals aren’t on LAN? That’s right, the live LAN final will be hosted in The Camden in Dublin on October 18th, and you can be there!

Your Chance To Win

We’re giving away tickets on our competition page here, simply get the answer right and you’ll be entered into the draw.

The finale is promising to be an incredible night, running from 6 pm to 11.30 pm, and there’ll be a lot more going on than just the matches. There’ll be live commentary with your favourite content creators from Ireland and abroad, including KAQUKA, Mithcman, and Queenie, set to be there following the action alongside you.

And if all of that still hasn’t got you excited, there’s one more massive reason why you should want to go.

This is going to be a historic event in Irish gaming history.

This event will see one of the biggest and most popular venues in the centre of our capital city, on one of the busiest streets, being turned into an e-sports bar on the 18th of October. If you want to see this happen again, get out there and support them.

Don’t you want to be one of the lucky few people who can say they were there on the night that gaming finally hit the mainstream in Ireland, when our hobby and passion finally gets the recognition it deserves?

Yes. The answer is yes. See you there!