Ludwig has called for Shopify Rebellion to leave VALORANT, delivering a blunt criticism of Riot Games while questioning whether the organisation should keep investing in the esport.
The streamer and Shopify Rebellion co-owner made the comments during his stream. His remarks come after Shopify Rebellion was passed over for the 2027–2028 VCT partnership cycle.
In brief:
- Ludwig says Shopify Rebellion should “abandon VALORANT completely” and criticised Riot Games’ treatment of the organisation.
- Shopify Rebellion was rejected for the upcoming VCT partnership cycle.
- The organisation has a long history in VALORANT, including investment in Challengers and Game Changers.
- Ludwig’s comments express his position, while the quoted statement does not announce a final organisational decision.
Ludwig Questions Shopify Rebellion’s Future in VALORANT
In the clip shared by RyanG2B, Ludwig makes his frustration clear:
“I think that Shopify Rebellion should abandon VALORANT completely, and I think Riot Games has fu**ed us long enough, and I don’t know if I wanna pursue it anymore, because I see no reward for doing so.”
His wording raises the possibility of a full withdrawal from VALORANT. However, he frames that as what he believes Shopify Rebellion should do, leaving the organisation’s next move unresolved.
Ludwig has a direct stake in that decision. Shopify Rebellion welcomed him and Charles “Cr1TiKaL” White Jr. as co-owners ahead of the 2025 season, following their previous collaboration through Moist x Shopify in VALORANT. At the time, the organisation described the merger as a way to support stronger teams and build a more resilient esports business.
Shopify Rebellion Misses Out on VCT Partnership Again
The comments follow another setback in Shopify Rebellion’s pursuit of a VCT partnership. Sheep Esports lists the organisation among the rejected applicants for the 2027–2028 cycle, alongside several other established esports names.
Shopify Rebellion has been through this process before. In July 2022, it publicly confirmed that Riot had declined to advance its partnership application. Its statement criticised the limited number of available places and urged Riot to provide meaningful support for the wider competitive ecosystem.
Despite that rejection, Shopify Rebellion said it would continue supporting its players and teams. That history gives Ludwig’s latest frustration additional context: the organisation kept investing after an earlier disappointment and has now missed out again.
Riot’s VCT 2027 Format Still Offers Opportunities for Non-Partner Teams
Shopify Rebellion’s rejection leaves it outside the partnership programme, but Riot’s 2027 format still allows non-partner teams to compete for major events.
Riot has announced that open teams can qualify for Kickoff, Cups, Masters, and Champions. Its published financial support includes:
- $100,000 for qualifying for Kickoff or a Cup.
- $200,000 for qualifying for Masters.
- $400,000 for qualifying for Champions.
Eligible teams can also earn prize money and additional incentives.
Those opportunities provide useful context for Ludwig’s claim that he sees no reward in continuing. His comment reflects his assessment of the investment, rather than an absence of announced financial rewards.
From an organisation’s perspective, qualification-dependent income still leaves uncertainty. A team has to commit resources to building and supporting a roster before knowing whether it will reach the events that unlock those payments.
Shopify Rebellion’s Game Changers Investment Adds Weight to the Comments
Shopify Rebellion’s involvement also extends to its successful Game Changers programme.
In its September update, the organisation celebrated Shopify Rebellion Gold winning another regional stage and qualifying for the Game Changers Championship in São Paulo. And that continued success makes the prospect of a complete VALORANT exit especially significant for its players and supporters.
The quoted comments provide no specific plan for either roster, player contracts, or the timing of a potential departure. Those details would require a separate announcement.
After years of involvement, one of Shopify Rebellion’s co-owners is openly questioning whether VALORANT offers enough reason to stay.
