- ExpressVPN renewed its League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) deal
- The VPN also signed new partnerships with VCT, G2 Esports, and Method
- Fans can expect rare in-game loot, merch giveaways, a dedicated social hub
ExpressVPN is stepping directly into the heart of competitive esports, announcing a sweeping roster 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 esports footprint with brand new, exclusive partnerships with the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA and VCT Americas, G2 Esports, and Method.
The move is a clear signal that the company wants to be recognized as the best VPN for gamers, positioning itself at the center of the world's most influential competitive broadcasts and team competitions.
For the average player, these partnerships mean more than just branding 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 drops.
To anchor this new community push, the provider is also launching a dedicated gaming social hub at @ExpressVPN_Gaming — now live on Instagram and soon on other platforms — to create a space for exclusive content, merch giveaways, and conversations with creators.
Why use a VPN for gaming?
While privacy tools are traditionally associated with unblocking streaming libraries or securing public Wi-Fi, they are increasingly vital for competitive play.
A premium gaming VPN can help protect you from targeted DDoS attacks, bypass unfair IP bans, and prevent your internet service provider (ISP) from throttling your connection during heavy bandwidth use. In some cases, a VPN can even lower your ping by finding a more direct route to the gaming server, while also 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 handle the demands of modern online gaming.
ExpressVPN boasts a 10 Gbps global server network spanning 105 countries, ensuring reliable connections even when networks are under heavy load.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, which features built-in post-quantum protection, is designed to support lightning-fast, low-latency performance. Players can also utilize 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 at G2 Esports. "Our players compete on milliseconds, and our fans live online, so this partnership is about empowering both with a safer, faster, and more secure digital experience."
Zac Eller, GM of Global Partnerships & Business Development at ExpressVPN, echoed this sentiment, noting that the provider’s overarching goal is to make the VPN "a natural part of how people play."
“The organisations we’re partnering with work with the best players and biggest communities in gaming, and they chose ExpressVPN because we care about the same things gamers care about — staying connected, staying stable, and keeping the game smooth,” Eller said.
The sentiment extends to the tournament organizers themselves. Charlie Allen, EMEA Director of Commercial Partnerships & Business Development at Riot Games, noted that the expansion into VCT EMEA and VCT Americas builds upon a shared mindset between the brands.
"We’re looking forward to delivering meaningful activations and exclusive rewards that truly resonate with our EMEA esports communities," Allen added.
