- ExpressVPN renewed its agreement with League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC)
- The VPN also signed new partnerships with VCT, G2 Esports, and Method.
- Fans can expect rare in-game loot, merchandise giveaways, and a dedicated social hub.
ExpressVPN is jumping right into the heart of competitive esports and announcing an extensive list of partnerships with some of the biggest names in the gaming industry.
The privacy provider has officially renewed its partnership with Riot Games’ League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC). It is also significantly expanding its presence in esports with new and exclusive partnerships with VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA and VCT Americas, G2 Esports and Method.
The move is a clear sign that the company wants to be recognized as the best VPN for gamers, positioning itself at the center of the most influential competitive broadcasts and team competitions in the world.
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For the average gamer, these partnerships mean more than simply promoting their brand on a stream. ExpressVPN has promised that fans can expect ongoing incentives rolling out throughout the year, including promotions for rare in-game rewards and exclusive releases.
To anchor this new community push, the provider is also launching a dedicated gaming social hub on @ExpressVPN_Gaming (now available on Instagram and soon on other platforms) to create a space for exclusive content, merch giveaways, and conversations with creators.
Why use a VPN to play?
While privacy tools are traditionally associated with unblocking streaming libraries or protecting public Wi-Fi networks, they are increasingly vital to competitive gaming.
A premium gaming VPN can help protect you from targeted DDoS attacks, avoid unfair IP bans, and prevent your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from throttling your connection during heavy bandwidth usage. In some cases, a VPN can even reduce your ping by finding a more direct route to the game server while unlocking the ability to play with friends in different regions.
In our most recent ExpressVPN review, we praised the provider’s technical infrastructure, which is uniquely suited to handling the demands of modern online gaming.
ExpressVPN has a global network of 10Gbps servers spanning 105 countries, ensuring reliable connections even when networks are under heavy load.
Additionally, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, which features built-in post-quantum protection, is designed to support ultra-fast, low-latency performance. Players can also use the Smart Location feature, which automatically connects them to the optimal server to keep gameplay smooth and responsive.
“A natural fit”
For professional esports organizations, where milliseconds dictate victory or defeat, digital security and connection stability are non-negotiable.
“ExpressVPN is a natural fit for us,” said Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2 Esports. “Our players compete in milliseconds and our fans live online, so this partnership aims to give them both a safer, faster digital experience.”
Zac Eller, CEO of Global Partnerships and Business Development at ExpressVPN, echoed this sentiment, noting that the provider’s overall goal is to make VPN “a natural part of the way people play.”
“The organizations we partner with work with the best players and largest gaming communities, and they chose ExpressVPN because we care about the same things that gamers care about: staying connected, stable, and keeping gameplay smooth,” Eller said.
The sentiment extends to the tournament organizers themselves. Charlie Allen, Director of Commercial Partnerships and Business Development EMEA at Riot Games, noted that the expansion into VCT EMEA and VCT Americas is based on a shared mindset between the brands.
“We are looking forward to delivering meaningful activations and exclusive rewards that truly resonate with our EMEA esports communities,” Allen added.
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