KOI wants back into VALORANT: Ibai confirms talks with players, but no roster locked in

KOI is eyeing VALORANT once again. Ibai Llanos has publicly acknowledged that the club is talking to players in order to build a roster, although there is no actual team yet. As reported by Marca eSports, the streamer also noted that the organization is among the 16 finalists in the franchise selection process for the VCT, Riot Games' official competitive circuit.

The announcement matters for two reasons. First, because KOI is one of the most powerful brands in the Spanish-speaking scene, and its return would shake up audiences, sponsors and the player market. Second, because the VCT franchise system is not an open league: getting in depends on convincing Riot, and making it into the final 16 candidates is a sign that the club is serious, even if nothing is settled.

What you need to know

• There are talks, not a roster: Ibai admits KOI is speaking with players, but makes it clear that as of today they have no team put together.
• KOI is among 16 finalists: the club has passed a first filter and is competing with other organizations for a franchise spot in the VCT.
• Nothing guaranteed: being on the final list does not mean having a seat; the decision rests with Riot Games.
• It's a comeback: KOI has already been in VALORANT before, so this is not a project starting from scratch in terms of brand and experience.
• Source: the core information comes from Marca eSports, based on statements from Ibai himself.

What it means to join a VCT franchise

Riot's franchise model in VALORANT works differently from a league with traditional promotion and relegation. Organizations submit an application, Riot evaluates factors such as financial stability, brand vision, ability to draw an audience and regional fit, and from there decides who gets a spot. That's why Ibai talks about finalists rather than qualification: KOI is in a boardroom race, not a playoff bracket.

This also explains the order of the steps. Locking in five players, a coach and a support staff without a guaranteed spot is a huge financial risk, so the logical move is to keep conversations open, gauge availability and prices, and only hit the accelerator once Riot gives the green light. The fact that KOI is talking to players confirms they are preparing for that scenario, not that they are taking it for granted.

Ibai's message, in essence, is that KOI is holding talks with players but does not yet have a team, and that the club is among the 16 finalists in the franchising process, as reported by Marca eSports.

Who this move affects

Players in the Spanish-speaking and European markets, above all. A club with KOI's visibility competing for signings pushes salaries upward and gives options to players currently in tier 2 or outside the system. Rivals also aiming for a spot, because KOI arrives with a built-in audience, and that carries weight in Riot's evaluation. And the community, which once got hyped over KOI in VALORANT and has long been asking whether there would be a second chapter.

The tricky part is the timeline. The source gives no specific dates, and that leaves KOI in an uncomfortable limbo: if the decision takes too long, the players they are negotiating with may sign elsewhere. The transfer window waits for no one.

Our take

At Underworld Lordz we welcome KOI's return to VALORANT, but with some caveats. We like Ibai's transparency: publicly saying there are talks but no team is more honest than selling hype with teasers. That said, the Spanish-speaking scene does not need another project that lasts one season and vanishes when the numbers don't add up. If KOI comes back, it has to be with a serious structure, an academy plan and the patience not to release the roster at the first setback.

For competitive players this is a real opportunity: more spots, more eyes and more budget in the region. Our advice is clear: don't wait for the call. Right now, having clips, stats and a clean reputation in tier 2 tournaments is worth more than ever, because clubs involved in processes like this are looking exactly there.

For content creators, KOI in VALORANT means a Spanish-speaking audience concentrated around the game, and that lifts the entire ecosystem: coaching, analysis, watch parties and community. What worries us is that the franchising process remains a black box: nobody knows exactly which criteria weigh most, and that favors big brands over projects that compete well but don't have a giant streamer behind them. That's a criticism of the model, not of KOI.

What do you think?

KOI has the brand, the audience and now a live application, but still has no players and no guaranteed spot. Do you think Riot should award the franchise for what KOI brings as a brand, or should projects already competing in tier 2 carry more weight? Let us know in the team chat or on our Discord.