VALORANT Champions 2026 Anthem Brings Oli Sykes and Courtney LaPlante Together

Riot Games has revealed the first details for the VALORANT Champions 2026 anthem, bringing together three major names from gaming and modern heavy music.

The track is titled “If The Sun Burns Out Tonight” and features Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli Sykes, Spiritbox vocalist Courtney LaPlante and returning VALORANT collaborator Grabbitz.

A behind-the-scenes teaser has already provided the first preview of the song ahead of VALORANT Champions Shanghai, which begins on September 24.

Riot takes the Champions anthem in a heavier direction

The first preview suggests that the 2026 anthem will move away from some of the pop and electronic sounds used in previous VALORANT songs.

Instead, “If The Sun Burns Out Tonight” appears to lean into heavier production, combining the distinctive vocals of Sykes and LaPlante with Grabbitz’s experience producing music specifically for Riot’s tactical shooter.

The confirmed lineup consists of:

• Oli Sykes, vocalist of Bring Me The Horizon
• Courtney LaPlante, vocalist of Spiritbox
• Grabbitz, producer and longtime VALORANT music collaborator

The collaboration gives Riot access to two of the most recognizable voices in modern alternative metal alongside an artist already closely associated with the identity of VALORANT esports.

The song is currently available to pre-save, with its full release expected ahead of Champions Shanghai.

Grabbitz returns to VALORANT once again

For Grabbitz, the 2026 anthem continues a relationship with VALORANT that stretches back several years.

He previously contributed to some of the game’s most recognizable competitive tracks, starting with “Die For You” for VALORANT Champions 2021.

That was followed by “Fire Again” alongside Ashnikko in 2022 and “Ticking Away” with bbno$ in 2023.

Year	VALORANT track	Artists
2021	Die For You	Grabbitz
2022	Fire Again	Ashnikko, Grabbitz
2023	Ticking Away	Grabbitz, bbno$
2026	If The Sun Burns Out Tonight	Oli Sykes, Courtney LaPlante, Grabbitz

His return gives the new track a direct connection to the earlier Champions era while allowing Riot to introduce a very different musical direction through Sykes and LaPlante.

Bringing Grabbitz back alongside two major modern metal vocalists makes the 2026 anthem one of Riot’s most ambitious VALORANT music collaborations so far.

Oli Sykes makes his VALORANT debut

The track marks Oli Sykes’ first direct collaboration with VALORANT.

As the frontman of Bring Me The Horizon, Sykes has spent years moving between metalcore, alternative rock, electronic influences and increasingly experimental production.

That range makes him a natural fit for Riot’s approach to esports music, where cinematic production and aggressive energy regularly play a central role.

Sykes has described the collaboration as a project that fits his interest in combining music with storytelling and larger fictional worlds.

His involvement also creates a clear stylistic signal for the 2026 Champions campaign. Riot appears willing to give this year’s tournament a darker and heavier musical identity than several previous editions.

Courtney LaPlante continues her Riot Games connection

Courtney LaPlante is also appearing on a VALORANT track for the first time, although she has already worked with Riot Games.

The Spiritbox vocalist previously performed “Ties That Bind” for an official 2XKO cinematic.

Her appearance alongside Sykes is particularly notable because the two artists have previously shared stages, but “If The Sun Burns Out Tonight” gives them the opportunity to release an official collaboration built around both of their voices.

The project therefore connects several different audiences:

• VALORANT and VCT esports fans
• Bring Me The Horizon listeners
• Spiritbox fans and the wider modern metal community

That crossover potential is an important part of Riot’s music strategy. Champions songs are designed not only as tournament themes but also as standalone releases capable of reaching listeners outside competitive gaming.

Champions Shanghai begins September 24

The anthem will lead into the biggest VALORANT tournament of the 2026 season.

VALORANT Champions takes place in Shanghai beginning September 24 and concludes the competitive VCT calendar after Masters Santiago, Masters London and the regional Stage 2 campaigns.

Riot has positioned Shanghai as the final destination for the world’s strongest teams, with qualification still being decided through the international leagues and Championship Points.

The anthem traditionally becomes an important part of that presentation. Previous Champions tracks have appeared in tournament broadcasts, promotional cinematics and live performances surrounding the season-ending event.

Riot has not yet published every detail surrounding the full release and associated music video for the 2026 track.

Assessment

“If The Sun Burns Out Tonight” already stands out because of the artists Riot has assembled.

Grabbitz provides continuity with earlier VALORANT Champions songs, while Oli Sykes and Courtney LaPlante bring a heavier style that should differentiate the 2026 anthem from previous editions.

The collaboration also reflects Riot’s continued willingness to treat esports music as more than background material. Champions anthems increasingly function as part of the tournament’s wider identity and marketing campaign.

How the full track compares with established fan favorites such as “Die For You” will only become clear once the complete song arrives.

For now, the combination of Bring Me The Horizon, Spiritbox and one of VALORANT’s most familiar musical collaborators gives Champions Shanghai a distinctive soundtrack before the first match has even begun.