FC Barcelona reportedly rallies for VALORANT esports entrance
FC Barcelona is one of the largest sports teams in the world, and now, it's reportedly looking to get into professional VALORANT.
According to VALORANT reporter Lembo, Barça is interested in fielding a team in the Spanish Challengers LVP Rising series in 2024, and is currently scouting for a roster. It also announced Barça Games, signalling further interest in the esports and streaming industry.
Curious timing
Despite system-wide economic hardship in the industry during the esports winter, FC Barcelona is gearing up to bring a Challengers team to the Spanish league in the 2024 season. While no players are currently connected to the team, the initial vetting process appears to have begun.
The team is allegedly looking to compete in the Spanish VALORANT scene, which is only set to start in February next year, giving the organisation some additional time to take their pick.
Barça is not a stranger to Riot Games' esports leagues, already fielding a roster in the Spanish SuperLiga, a regionalised League of Legends competition that feeds directly into the EMEA Masters circuit. In 2019, the team entered esports with a Rocket League team, which ceased operation in 2020.
New app announced
Hinting that they are willing to buy the esports dip, the football club is also launching Barça Games, a new multimedia offensive with a wide offering from video games to TV shows to streaming content. In its trailer, it describes itself as "the biggest gamer academy of the world."
As announced during a press conference on November 8, the organisation is teaming up with Mas Ros Media and FireSPORTS. Set to kick off in early April, this initiative is part of their push into digital entertainment.
"The launch of the new platform forms part of the Club’s aim to create digital content for entertainment, together with the mission to approach new audiences and reach new generations of fans," the press describes the mission statement.
