Riot Games is turning a stretch of East London into a matchday destination for the closing weekend of VALORANT Masters London. From June 19 to 21, the publisher will run a free-entry venue called The Phoenix Arms at Hackney Bridge, built around the idea of a traditional British pub rather than a standard esports viewing party. The space sits alongside a broader fan festival at the same site, timed to the finals being played nearby at Copper Box Arena, which is already sold out.
A Pub Built for Matchday
The Phoenix Arms leans into British football culture rather than typical esports branding. Riot is dressing the venue with team flags, themed memorabilia, and custom signage, and will screen matches live throughout the weekend. A pub quiz is also planned as part of the daily programming. Fronting it all is Big John, a social media personality installed as the pub's "landlord" for the weekend. The venue runs 11:00 to 19:00 each day, June 19 through 21, with no ticket required to get in.
More Than a Screening Room
The pub is one piece of a larger free fan festival Riot is staging at Hackney Bridge alongside the finals. A Community Stage will host cosplay showcases, podcast recordings, developer panels, and meet-and-greets, plus open-air watch parties for fans who can't get into the arena. An Artist Alley will bring together 20 international community artists selling merchandise, while a "Defuse the Spike" activity turns the game's core objective into a physical challenge. Riot has also built out a Community Mosaic photo installation, a Zen Zone for fans who want a quieter break from the crowds, and a Cheer Lounge styled as a picnic and beer garden. Competing organizations will run their own booths for player meet-and-greets.
Getting There
Hackney Bridge is reachable via the Central, Jubilee, and Elizabeth lines, the DLR, National Rail, and London Overground's Mildmay line, as well as bus routes 241, 388, 236, 276, W15, and 308. Copper Box Arena itself, where the finals matches are being played, has already sold out.
The Stakes on the Floor
While the fan festival runs outside, the trophy is being decided inside. Paper Rex, EDward Gaming, and Team Vitality are confirmed for the playoff picture, joined by either FUT Esports or Leviatán depending on how the bracket resolves, as the field narrows toward a champion. The Phoenix Arms adds a distinctly local flavor to Masters London's closing weekend, giving fans locked out of the sold-out arena a free, low-key alternative built around community programming rather than just a big screen.
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