The official Valorant launch date was June 2, 2020, when Riot Games released the free-to-play tactical shooter worldwide on Windows PC. If you’re curious about the full timeline from the closed beta hype to the console rollout we’ve got every key date, patch, and milestone in one place.
When Did Valorant Officially Launch?
Valorant launched globally on June 2, 2020 for Microsoft Windows. The release came just weeks after one of the most-watched closed betas in gaming history, and it kicked off with Episode 1: Ignition.
The launch introduced the base roster of Agents, four maps Bind, Haven, Split, and Ascent (added shortly after) and the game’s now-iconic 5v5 attack/defend format built around the Spike.
Riot Games developed Valorant under the internal codename “Project A”, first teased back in October 2019. If you’re new to the game and trying to catch up, our valorant beginners guide walks you through the fundamentals from scratch.
Valorant Release Timeline: Every Major Date
Here’s the full timeline of key launch and expansion dates:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| October 2019 | Riot reveals “Project A” |
| March 2, 2020 | Valorant officially announced |
| April 7, 2020 | Closed Beta begins |
| May 28, 2020 | Closed Beta ends |
| June 2, 2020 | Global PC launch (Episode 1: Ignition) |
| June 23, 2021 | Mobile version announced |
| June 22, 2024 | Console closed beta (PS5 & Xbox Series X/S) |
| August 14, 2024 | Console full release |
The Closed Beta: April 7, 2020
Before the official Valorant launch date, Riot ran a closed beta starting April 7, 2020 in select regions: North America, Europe, Russia, Turkey, and CIS countries.
Access was gated through Twitch drops you had to link your Riot and Twitch accounts and watch Valorant streams for a chance at a beta key. The system broke Twitch records:
- Over 1.7 million concurrent viewers on April 3, 2020 (day one of drops)
- Second-most-watched game day in Twitch history at the time
- The beta ran until May 28, 2020, just five days before global launch
The hype was massive because Valorant offered something CS-style tactical shooter fans had been asking for: 128-tick servers, sub-35ms ping for 70%+ of players, and Riot’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard.
Why June 2, 2020 Mattered
The Valorant launch date landed during a unique moment. The pandemic had pushed record numbers of players indoors, and the tactical shooter genre was hungry for a fresh competitor.
At launch, Valorant shipped with:
- 11 Agents (Brimstone, Viper, Omen, Cypher, Sova, Sage, Phoenix, Jett, Reyna, Raze, Breach)
- 4 maps (Bind, Haven, Split, Ascent)
- Unrated and Spike Rush game modes (Competitive arrived in Patch 1.02 on June 24, 2020)
- A free-to-play model with cosmetic-only monetization
Within its first month, Valorant reportedly hit millions of daily active users, and Riot moved quickly to launch the VCT (Valorant Champions Tour) competitive circuit in 2021.
Valorant Console Launch Date
For years, Valorant was PC-exclusive. That changed on August 14, 2024, when Riot released Valorant for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S after a limited closed beta that started June 22, 2024.
The console version keeps the same core gameplay but disables cross-play with PC to preserve competitive integrity a smart call given how much aim precision matters. If you’re jumping in on console or PC, our valorant tips and tricks roundup covers habits that translate across both platforms.
What About Valorant Mobile?
Riot announced a mobile version of Valorant on June 22, 2021, celebrating the game’s first anniversary. As of the most recent public updates, Valorant Mobile has been in development and regional testing but has not received a confirmed global launch date.
We’ll update this page when Riot publishes an official worldwide release date for the mobile version.
The Bottom Line
The Valorant launch date was June 2, 2020 on PC, with the console version following on August 14, 2024. What started as “Project A” in 2019 has grown into one of the most-watched esports on the planet, anchored by the VCT circuit and a steady stream of new Agents, maps, and Episodes.
Still open questions:
- Valorant Mobile’s global release date announced but not dated publicly
- Any future platform expansions beyond PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S