VALORANT Is Finally Launching on Consoles in Australia and New Zealand

Riot Games is expanding the console version of VALORANT to Australia and New Zealand on September 23, bringing official PS5 and Xbox Series X|S support to both countries more than two years after the shooter first arrived on consoles in other regions.

A dedicated Sydney console server will open at 10 AM AEST on launch day. Existing VALORANT players will also be able to use the same Riot account they already have on PC, carrying their Agents, skins, Battlepass progress, and other account progression onto console.

Riot is currently carrying out final testing ahead of the regional release, with the local console server temporarily unavailable until the official launch. Players may still see VALORANT listed on Australian and New Zealand PlayStation and Xbox storefronts before September 23, but the Sydney console server will remain offline until Riot opens it at launch.

The temporary restriction only applies to console. PC players using the Sydney server can continue playing normally while Riot completes its testing.

Australia and New Zealand were not included when VALORANT expanded to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2024. Riot said at the time that additional regions would be considered as it worked to ensure suitable server infrastructure and matchmaking conditions.

The September release now gives players in both countries official local console support rather than requiring them to remain outside the existing rollout.

Players who already have a VALORANT account will not need to rebuild their collection or unlock Agents again. Riot uses the same account progression across PC and console. Battlepass progress, recruited Agents, purchased weapon skins, and other earned or purchased content carry between supported platforms.

Any further progression also remains attached to that account regardless of whether the player switches between PC and console. The matchmaking pools remain separate, however. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players can play together, but console users cannot enter matches with PC players.

Riot says that separation is intended to protect competitive integrity by preventing controller and mouse-and-keyboard players from being placed into the same matchmaking environment.

The Australia and New Zealand release follows the same free-to-play model as VALORANT in its existing console markets. Players will not need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass to access the game. Both subscriptions can provide their own additional benefits, but neither is required simply to play VALORANT online.

The launch also arrives immediately before one of the biggest events on the game's calendar, with VALORANT Champions 2026 beginning in Shanghai on September 24.

For players in Australia and New Zealand, the more immediate change comes a day earlier. PS5 and Xbox Series X|S access officially opens on September 23 with local Sydney server support and existing Riot account progression intact.