2XKO Launches Novel Pilot Program to Give Players In-Game Rewards for Attending and Winning Local and Online Tournaments
•February 20, 2026
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Why It Matters
The program aims to boost participation and retention in 2XKO’s fledgling esports scene, offering tangible incentives that could drive revenue and community growth despite recent staffing cuts.
Key Takeaways
- •Riot pilots rewards for 2XKO tournament participants
- •Credits awarded differ for online versus offline events
- •Repeat attendance unlocks exclusive avatar outfit
- •Winning grants future in‑game player title
- •Program tests linked start.gg–Riot account integration
Pulse Analysis
Riot Games’ experimental reward system reflects a broader shift in esports toward localized incentives. By offering 2XKO credits for simply showing up, the company lowers the entry barrier for casual players while still rewarding dedication through repeat‑attendance bonuses. This tiered approach mirrors successful models in larger titles, where micro‑rewards sustain engagement without inflating tournament prize pools. The partnership with TNS Online Weekly and Chicago’s FGC Meetups also signals Riot’s intent to embed 2XKO within existing fighting‑game communities, leveraging grassroots events to expand its player base.
From a business perspective, the pilot could generate incremental revenue streams. In‑game credits often translate to micro‑transactions, and heightened tournament activity drives higher viewership, advertising, and sponsorship opportunities. Moreover, linking start.gg accounts creates a data pipeline that lets Riot track player behavior, refine matchmaking, and personalize future offers. Even with the recent layoff of half the 2XKO development team, the reward program demonstrates a commitment to monetizing the title through community‑centric mechanisms rather than solely relying on new champion releases.
Looking ahead, the success of this initiative may influence Riot’s broader esports strategy. If participation spikes, Riot could scale the program globally, introduce tiered sponsorship tiers, or integrate cross‑title rewards linking League of Legends and 2XKO. Conversely, low adoption would prompt a reassessment of resource allocation amid ongoing development challenges. Either outcome will provide valuable insights into how mid‑tier fighting games can sustain competitive ecosystems in a market dominated by established franchises.
2XKO launches novel pilot program to give players in-game rewards for attending and winning local and online tournaments
Riot Games launches pilot program for 2XKO tournament rewards
Riot Games announced they've now launched a pilot program to offer rewards to 2XKO players outside of the major events.
They don't seem to have an official name for this program yet, but the team is already starting to test it out at a few locations in the United States.
Currently, Riot is partnering with the TNS Online Weekly as well as the offline FGC Meetups in Chicago, Illinois to provide extra prizing.
They are offering up three different types of rewards for attending/playing, for repeat showings and for winning events.
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For simply showing up and playing, competitors will receive 1,000 in‑game 2XKO Credits for online events and 2,000 Credits for offline tournaments.
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Those who enter the same event five times or more can earn the “Casual Suit” avatar outfit for the fighting game as seen in the banner.
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Players who actually win these tournaments shall receive the special “Local Legend 2026” in‑game player title; however, Riot states those will be added to the game in a future update.
To receive these in‑game prizes, players must connect their start.gg accounts to their Riot account, where the team says they'll grant the rewards within a few days of the event ending.
Although it's limited for now, Riot says they will consider adding more rewards and making adjustments once they see how the program performs initially.
As far as we can remember, this is the only time a traditional fighting game has offered special bonuses for local and online events specifically—a neat incentive to get more people to sign up and participate.
At the same time, however, 2XKO itself is facing challenges after Riot laid off half of the development team earlier this month due to the game's initial performance.
Last week, Riot provided a small update on what's coming to 2XKO, revealing Akali and Senna as the next champions on the way this year.
We'll have to wait and see what's in store for the League of Legends fighting game after that, though.
More information on the tournament reward program can be found in Riot's full weekly update below.
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