The gaming landscape in Southeast Asia has officially entered a new era! Riot Games, the powerhouse behind global hits like League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics, has successfully launched its dedicated Southeast Asia (SEA) servers. This monumental move marks the end of a 12-year publishing partnership with Garena, allowing Riot to take full control and directly serve the passionate player base in the region. To celebrate this historic beginning, a massive "server-warming party" is underway, showering players with exclusive welcome rewards, free champions, and limited-time missions. The community's excitement is palpable as they finally get to experience the games through Riot's official ecosystem, complete with regional events and tournaments tailored just for them. 🎉

A New Chapter for SEA Gamers

This transition has been in the works since the announcement last November. Riot Games cited its evolution into a multi-game studio and a deeper commitment to the Asia-Pacific region as the core reasons for bringing operations in-house. The account migration process, which opened on November 18, gave players a crucial window to seamlessly transfer their hard-earned Garena account data—including champions, skins, and progression—to the new Riot servers. This ensured that years of dedication weren't lost in the shift.

The launch video showcased iconic SEA landmarks filled with adorable Poros, symbolizing the region's integration into the Riot universe.

Welcome Bonanza: Tokens, Skins & Free Champions!

The launch isn't just a technical switch; it's a full-blown celebration. For an entire month, players logging into the new SEA servers can participate in special missions to earn exclusive "Server-Warming Tokens." These tokens are the key to unlocking a treasure trove of goodies:

• Permanent Skin Shards (Including epic and legendary tiers!)

• Ultimate Skin Unlocks 🏆

• Legendary Eggs containing rare cosmetic loot

But that's not all! In a generous move, Riot is allowing SEA players to unlock any champion released between 2009 and 2021 for FREE simply by completing in-game missions. This is a massive boon for both new players building their roster and veterans filling out their collections.

What's Next? Lunar Revel & Competitive Tournaments

Riot Games has big plans for 2026 in Southeast Asia. The launch video, "Our Journey Begins," teased the immediate future, which kicks off with the vibrant Lunar Revel event celebrating the Lunar New Year. This event typically brings themed skins, game modes, and festive rewards.

Furthermore, the competitive scene is getting a major boost:

Tournament	Game	Prize Pool	Significance
SEA Regional Qualifiers	Teamfight Tactics	$10,000	Decides who represents SEA at Worlds
TFT World Championship	Teamfight Tactics	Global Prize Pool	3 slots are reserved for SEA teams!

This structured competitive pathway promises to elevate the region's esports stature, offering local talent a clear road to international glory.

Getting Settled: Account Migration & Support

For players making the switch, Riot has set up a comprehensive Account Migration Microsite. This hub is the one-stop shop for linking your old Garena account to your new Riot identity. The site highlights all the perks of joining the Riot ecosystem:

✅ Access to all Riot games and events

✅ Exclusive skins and rewards

✅ Direct player support and communication

Even if you're just curious, you can visit the site to play with the adorable Poro Builder tool—a fun feature that lets you customize your own fluffy Poro! The site also provides clear guides and FAQs to smooth over any migration hiccups.

The Bottom Line

Riot Games' direct entry into Southeast Asia is more than a server migration; it's a commitment. By offering lucrative rewards, supporting the competitive scene with real stakes, and hosting culturally relevant events like Lunar Revel, Riot is demonstrating its dedication to making SEA a core part of its global community. The message is clear: the journey for Southeast Asian players is just beginning, and the future looks incredibly bright. For millions of fans, the wait is over—it's time to log in, claim those rewards, and experience Runeterra like never before! ✨

Key findings are referenced from VentureBeat GamesBeat, where reporting often frames major publisher shifts—like Riot bringing SEA servers in-house after its long Garena partnership—as strategic moves that tighten live-service operations, improve regional latency and support, and create cleaner pathways for monetization, esports programming, and player retention through launch incentives such as time-limited missions and account-migration rewards.