VALORANT Mobile Surpasses 10 Million Daily Active Users in China, Global Launch Still Unannounced

Key facts

• VALORANT Mobile crossed 10 million daily active players in China on May 3, 2026.
• The game launched on August 19, 2025, at China Joy after 70 million pre-registrations.
• Tencent named it the biggest mobile game launch of 2025 in China by daily active users and gross revenue.
• Combined VALORANT and VALORANT Mobile player base in China reached 50 million monthly active users by November 2025.
• PC version of VALORANT peaked at 2 million concurrent players in a single day in China.
• Riot and Tencent invested $200 million in mobile esports ecosystem.
• April 2026 update introduced new character Vyse and 6v6 Warm-up Team Deathmatch mode.
• Global VALORANT PC had approximately 28 million monthly players as of October 2023.

A Milestone in Silence

VALORANT Mobile has surpassed 10 million daily active players in China, Riot Games announced via Weibo on May 3. The milestone arrives nine months into a China-exclusive launch that has consistently outperformed expectations, and with still no word from Riot on when the rest of the world will get access. The game launched on August 19, 2025, at China Joy, after over 70 million pre-registrations. Tencent named it the biggest mobile game launch of 2025 in China by both daily active users and gross revenue in its first month. By November 2025, the combined VALORANT and VALORANT Mobile player base in China had crossed 50 million monthly active users, with the PC version alone peaking at 2 million concurrent players in a single day.

A China-First Strategy That Has Become a Long Wait

The decision to launch in China exclusively was framed by Riot as deliberate. Anna Donlon, head of VALORANT Studios, explained at launch that China had one of the largest and most competitive mobile FPS communities in the world. She explained that it made sense to start where Lightspeed Studios, Tencent's development arm that co-built the game, had the deepest expertise. The China launch serves as a technical test before a global rollout. That framing by Riot Games made sense in August 2025. Nine months and 10 million daily players later, the 'we will update you as our plans develop further' statement Riot issued at launch remains the most recent official communication on a global release. No beta date, no regional rollout announcement, and no window have been confirmed.

Infrastructure and Investment in Mobile Esports

VALORANT Mobile’s infrastructure has been tested under a player load that most live service games never reach. The competitive ecosystem, backed by a $200 million investment from Riot and Tencent in mobile esports, includes a national league and major Chinese organization involvement. The April 2026 update introduced the newest playable character, Vyse, and a 6v6 Warm-up Team Deathmatch mode, which signals continued investment by Riot Games into the title. The PC version of VALORANT had approximately 28 million monthly players globally as of October 2023, before the mobile version existed. A global mobile rollout, given the scale of the China numbers, would likely push the franchise's combined audience to a level that reframes Riot's position in mobile entirely.

Global Players Left Waiting

For now, global players remain where they have been since August 2025. They are waiting on an announcement that Riot has given no timeline for. The success in China underscores the potential demand elsewhere, but Riot has not indicated whether the global version will be identical or adapted for different markets. The prolonged China-exclusive period has led to speculation about regulatory hurdles, localization challenges, or a deliberate strategy to maximize revenue in China before expanding. Riot has not addressed these theories. The company's silence on a global release date contrasts sharply with the regular updates and communication around the Chinese version.

What Comes Next

With 10 million daily active players in China, VALORANT Mobile has proven its viability as a mobile esports title. The next logical step is a global launch, but Riot has not committed to a timeline. The company may be waiting for further technical optimization or for the Chinese market to mature before expanding. Riot's history with League of Legends: Wild Rift, which also launched in China first, suggests a cautious approach. Wild Rift took over a year to reach global markets after its Chinese debut. If that pattern holds, VALORANT Mobile may not see a worldwide release until late 2026 or 2027. For now, the franchise's mobile future remains tethered to China, while the rest of the world watches and waits.

The bottom line

• VALORANT Mobile reached 10 million daily active players in China within nine months of its exclusive launch.
• The game was the biggest mobile game launch of 2025 in China by daily active users and revenue.
• Riot Games has not announced a global release date, despite the milestone.
• The China-exclusive strategy was intended as a technical test, but the wait has extended beyond initial expectations.
• A $200 million investment in mobile esports supports the competitive ecosystem in China.
• Global players may face a prolonged wait, similar to the rollout of League of Legends: Wild Rift.