Riot Games has confirmed that Stage 2 Finals of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) will take place at the Olímpic Arena in Barcelona from August 28–30, marking the league’s first major live event outside of Berlin.

For the past few years, Berlin has been the centre of EMEA Valorant. This summer, though, they’re moving to a new city – though plans have changed slightly since the event was originally announced.

The Olímpic Arena was originally constructed for the 1992 Olympic Games and has since hosted top-level sport and large-scale entertainment events. Now, it adds esports to that list.

Some fans had already noticed that the previously announced city, Madrid, had quietly changed.

Riot Explains Barcelona Venue Switch

Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports EMEA, explained that plans evolved during the build-up, leading to a venue switch while keeping the event in Spain. He said:

“I wanted to share a bit more context about the change of city. As planning progressed, we needed to make an adjustment to our original venue plans to ensure we could deliver the experience you expect from an event of this magnitude.

“Staying in Spain was important to us, and the Olimpic Arena in the Barcelona area stood out as a venue that allows us to deliver the scale, atmosphere, and community experience we think you’re going to love. Few crowds bring the passion and enthusiasm that the Spanish fans offer, and we’re confident the venue and the city will create a great environment for those in attendance.”

The decision certainly makes sense. Spanish crowds have a reputation for being loud and fully bought in, and Riot clearly sees Barcelona as the right setting for the end of the season.

Challenger Teams Gain Path To VCT EMEA Playoffs

There’s also a competitive change that matters to the teams just outside of VCT.

For the first time, Challenger teams will have a route into VCT EMEA Playoffs, meaning a Tier 2 squad could realistically fight its way onto the Finals stage.