VALORANT Replay System: How To Watch Replays

VALORANT players have finally won a long-running fight with Riot Games—and that’s because the game now has its own replay system. Introduced in Patch 11.06, the feature lets you review recent matches, something that has been a staple for its MOBA counterpart, League of Legends, for years!

While VALORANT’s replay system is still in its infancy, the ability to rewatch past performances is a huge deal for FPS players and teams looking to analyse (and hopefully improve) their gameplay. In this guide, we’ll explain how to watch replays in VALORANT and how it all works.

Replay screen in VALORANT showing sniper scope, minimap, and playback options

Image source: Riot Games / VALORANT

When Does The VALORANT Replay System Come Out?

The VALORANT replay system is already live in the PC game client, having been released on September 16 with Patch 11.06. Unfortunately, console players are going to have to wait a little longer, though, as Riot Games confirmed that the rollout is limited to the PC version for now.

That said, consoles will be able to watch VALORANT replays once Patch 11.10 rolls out on November 11, 2025. Riot also noted that China will receive the feature slightly later, with the launch set for Patch 11.07b on October 9, 2025.

Gameplay replay in VALORANT showing player POV, enemy outlines, and replay controls

Image source: Riot Games / VALORANT

All Supported Game Modes

Riot has confirmed that the replay system will be available in the following VALORANT game modes:

  • Competitive
  • Unrated
  • Swiftplay
  • Premier

At the time of writing, Riot has not confirmed whether replay systems will be added to VALORANT’s custom lobbies. This is largely due to the high level of customization available in these matches, which makes implementation significantly more complex.

How To Watch VALORANT Replays

Accessing the replay system is almost identical to reviewing a VOD in League of Legends. Here’s how you can access replays in VALORANT:

Post-match screen:

  • On the post-match screen, you’ll see an icon that will let you download the replay of a recently played game. Click that, and it will automatically save the file and open the replay for you.

VALORANT client:

  • If you haven’t finished a game but still want to watch a replay in VALORANT, go to your Career page (this is the same section you would go to view your match history). There, you’ll see a replay icon next to each game. Click it to begin the download.
VALORANT match history screen showing replay download button and match result

Image source: Riot Games / VALORANT

How Does The VALORANT Replay System Work?

Although it’s in the early stages of implementation, there are many interesting features in the VALORANT replay mode to try out.

POV Switching

One of the best features of the replay system in VALORANT is the option to switch perspectives. Instead of being limited to your own view, you can also watch the point of view of other players. This makes it easier to analyse your own gameplay, while also spotting any mistakes from the enemies’ perspective.

This system also lets you toggle player outlines, similar to what you might have noticed in professional broadcasts where every agent’s position is visible across the map. On top of that, you can even track recon abilities in real time, like Sova’s Dart or Killjoy’s Nanoswarm grenade, if you wish.

Replay view in VALORANT with third-person camera, kill feed, and playback controls visible

Image source: Riot Games / VALORANT

Freecam

If you ever wanted to make cinematic third-person montages in VALORANT, the new replay system makes that possible. With freecam, you can move anywhere around the map without being tied to a single player’s perspective. It’s a huge plus for content creators looking to snag stylish in-game shots!

Replay Controls

Before jumping into the VALORANT replay system, there are a few key controls worth knowing. For example, the speed toggle lets you dynamically adjust the pace of the match, from as slow as 0.1x to as fast as 8x—perfect if watching in real time feels too slow.

The timeline also makes navigation easy, allowing you to effortlessly skip to specific rounds or key moments (these are marked with icons for kills, deaths, and ability usage). You can also hide the HUD at any time for a cleaner view or pull up the combat report whenever needed for detailed stats.

Close-up of VALORANT replay interface showing timeline, round markers, and speed options

Image source: Riot Games / VALORANT

Do Replays Expire In VALORANT?

Yes, replays do expire in VALORANT—and their lifespan is a lot shorter than you might expect. Each replay is only available for the duration of a single patch, which explains why many players are confused when older games can’t be downloaded. For example, if you’re on Patch 11.06, you won’t be able to watch a match from Patch 11.05.

Can You Watch Replays From VALORANT Pro Matches?

Not at the moment. Riot has confirmed that replays are not available for VALORANT Champions Tour matches, offering little explanation beyond that. The professional client is different from the live version used by regular players.

Matches are also played on separate patches with near-zero latency to ensure maximum competitive integrity. Since replays are tied to the live patch, this is likely the reason the tournament realm can’t support them for now.

FAQs

Do replays work for custom games?

No. VALORANT replays do not support custom games, as the system can’t currently handle the high level of customization those matches allow.

Will replays impact PC performance in VALORANT?

No. Riot has ensured that the new replay system will not negatively impact the performance of your machine.

Is voice chat enabled in replays?

No. VALORANT replays do not currently have voice chat enabled. This means that any communication between you and your team will not be heard when you download the replays.

When is the VALORANT replay system coming out?

The VALORANT replay system launched on PC with Patch 11.06 on September 16, 2025. Console support arrives with Patch 11.10 on November 11, 2025, while China will get access on October 9, 2025, with Patch 11.07b.

References

  1. Replays: Everything You Need to Know (Riot Games)