VALORANT players in the Philippines are about to get a major upgrade. Riot Games has announced that the game’s first-ever local gameserver will go live in Manila on August 20, 2025, at 5:00 AM (PHT) alongside Patch 11.04.
For years, Filipino players have had to connect to overseas servers like Hong Kong, often dealing with higher ping and unstable connections. The new Manila server aims to fix that — bringing lower latency, more stable matches, and smoother gameplay without having to rely on foreign hubs.
It’s an Extra Option, Not a Replacement
If you’ve gotten used to playing on the Hong Kong server, don’t worry — it’s not going anywhere. The Manila server is simply an additional choice for players who want better connectivity from within the country. You can freely switch between the two, and competitive features like Premier and qualifications for the Challengers Southeast Asia League remain open for both.
When it launches, the Manila server will appear as “MNL” in your Southeast Asia region server list, similar to how Singapore and Hong Kong are listed.
A Community Milestone After 5 Years of Play
This launch comes fresh off VALORANT’s 5th anniversary celebration, which put Filipino players front and center with a tribute video, a Humans of VALORANT mini-documentary, and even a massive mural in Taguig City celebrating the local esports scene. It’s another reminder of just how big the game’s cultural footprint has become in the Philippines.
According to Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for VALORANT at Riot Games Philippines, this move is about giving local players the right support:
“We’re excited for them to try out the Manila gameserver and experience smoother connectivity and more hyperlocal matches that will bring fresh excitement to their games.”
More Matches, More Community Events
To celebrate the new server, Riot Games Philippines is organizing a series of community tournaments nationwide. Expect announcements on match schedules, registration, and prizes through VALORANT PH’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
This is a big win for the local FPS community — and starting August 20, your games might just feel a whole lot sharper.
