Riot Games has announced that its sixth game server for VALORANT in the Asia Pacific region is slated to launch in Manila. Set to go live with Patch 11.04 on August 20 at 5:00 AM (PHT), the Manila gameserver aims to bring better connectivity and enrich the game experience of Filipino VALORANT players.

The Manila server is expected to deliver lower ping, reduce instability, and improve overall connectivity. It hopes to eliminate many of the infrastructure-related limitations Filipino players often face when connecting to overseas servers—most notably in Hong Kong.

VALORANT’s game server in Manila will not affect the performance of its Hong Kong server, which has been the primary hub for Pinoy players since 2020. The game has a strong and active player base across the Asia Pacific, so even if some players choose to switch to the new server, the game quality and matchmaking on the Hong Kong server will remain resilient.

Moreover, the Manila server is an additional option, not a replacement. Filipino players can move to the new server, and those who prefer to continue playing using the Hong Kong server can do so without any disruption. It will also not affect players’ ability to join competitive tournaments like Premier, and top Filipino teams competing from the Manila server will still have the chance to qualify for the Challengers Southeast Asia league. This keeps the path to higher-level competition open and fair.

The Manila server will also function like existing game pods in Southeast Asia, such as those in Hong Kong and Singapore. Its location will be labelled ‘MNL’ in the server options under the Southeast Asia region for eligible players.

The launch of the Manila server follows the month-long celebration of VALORANT’s fifth anniversary, which spotlighted Filipino players through community-led moments such as a tribute video, ‘Humans of VALORANT’ mini-documentary series, and a massive mural at a tenement in Taguig City that exhibited local moments that shaped the Pinoy VALORANT experience. These tributes reflect the game’s deep cultural impact and the passion of the local community.

“The launch of VALORANT’s first-ever gameserver in the Philippines reinforces Riot Games’ commitment to improving the local player experience while celebrating the Filipino players and communities that have fueled the game’s growth,” said Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for VALORANT at Riot Games Philippines. “Our priority has always been to enrich the game experience for local players and ensure we’re providing the right level of support to our base. 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.”

In celebration of the new game server in Manila, Riot Games Philippines will be mounting a series of community tournaments for Filipino players across the nation. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to VALORANT’s official PH social media channels for more updates.