From League of Legends to VALORANT to the FGC, esports scenes have expressed considerations about attending and competing at occasions held in the US amid ongoing tensions and visa points.
Again in January 2026, KRU Esports’ IGL, Matias “Saadhak” Delipetro, revealed that the staff might miss the VCT Americas Kickoff occasion as a result of issue of getting visas for the US. KRU introduced a substitute lineup after its total roster confronted visa delays. Escapists’ employees puzzled why the occasion couldn’t be moved to Brazil as an alternative, however figured Riot needed to maintain it close to its studio and workers.
Nonetheless, continued visa points and rising considerations over the US’ political turmoil produce other esports scenes feeling cautious about continued tournaments within the nation. Not solely are groups having points getting visas authorised in time, however quite a lot of followers have expressed concern over attending occasions in America because the Trump Administration amps up ICE. Many followers have expressed feeling unsafe.
A yr in the past, the FGC additionally questioned if combating recreation tourneys needs to be moved elsewhere, particularly with high Japanese gamers struggling to get visas. One fan mentioned on Reddit: “I do know traditionally, particularly in Tekken, gamers have had issues securing visas to play right here within the states. I really feel like that situation goes to get manner worse, and I believe many international gamers will merely refuse to come back right here. I really feel like this will likely be a large hit on an already weakened scene. Ideas?”
Somebody answered: “Even past gamers not getting in due to their nationality, quite a lot of of us gained’t come due to the politics/ threat. Hell, I dwell within the US and skip some occasions due to the place they’re held. When typically pleasant governments just like the UK situation journey warnings, that’s an indication that issues are dangerous.”
One other merely mentioned: “We’re cooked.”
Sheep Esports requested Chris Greeley, the International Head of League of Legends Esports, how he felt about persevering with to carry occasions in America, and the neighborhood didn’t like his response.
Chris Greeley: “There Had been All the time Immigration Issues” at Different Worlds Occasions
In an interview carried out by Sheep Esports, Greeley was requested how he felt about continued visa delays for US-based occasions, which might closely influence Worlds. This yr, it’s returning to North America, hitting Los Angeles for Play-Ins, Allen, Texas for Quarterfinals and Semi-Finals, and New York Metropolis for the Finals.
Said Riot: “For the most important second of the yr, Worlds is heading to Brooklyn! The Grand Ultimate will happen at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, New York, one of the crucial iconic arenas on the planet. It’s the right setting to crown a brand new World Champion, honor the legacy of League of Legends, and unite followers from across the globe for an unforgettable evening.”
Nonetheless, sentiment from the League of Legends neighborhood has been blended. If a professional staff had been unable to attend Worlds attributable to a visa situation, that might actually put a damper on the complete occasion. Others puzzled in the event that they’d be protected in huge cities, which have been filled with ICE brokers, protests, and different political chaos.
Greeley didn’t appear all too involved. He mentioned: “We’re all the time contingencies, no matter the place we’re on the planet. I can’t keep in mind a world occasion within the final couple of years the place there weren’t some visa or immigration considerations proper up till the occasion.
“If one or two groups are having bother, we’ll proceed working immediately with these groups, together with our businesses and any authorities contacts we are able to leverage. That’s primarily our commonplace working process — to do every little thing we are able to to assist groups achieve entry. In conditions the place there are remoted instances — like a single participant or staff unable to attend — we do search for fallback choices, and we’ve completed that previously.”
In different phrases, Greeley didn’t appear to assume something was out of the abnormal. Followers famous that having this type of view might be dangerous to Worlds, mainly not taking any motion till one thing does occur and it’s too late.
One passionate fan famous that the “immigration considerations” previously don’t evaluate to the “immigration considerations” with the US in 2026. Slightly than simply being barred from coming into a rustic, followers at the moment are afraid of being “killed on the street” or being taken to “focus camps” because the presence of ICE brokers grows.
He wrote: “It’s by no means the identical.”
