Riot Games in talks with BLAST, ESL, and PGL; r1nkle leaves NIP — news digest for April 15

We’ve prepared a digest of the main news for Players readers for April 15, 2026.

Riot Games in talks with BLAST, ESL, and PGL about helping run VCT tournaments

• Riot Games is actively negotiating with tournament operators BLAST, ESL, and PGL to organize joint VALORANT tournaments as part of the VCT 2027 circuit. This was reported by insider Ari.

NIP bench Ukrainian player r1nkle

• After two years with NIP, r1nkle is leaving the main roster. The decision was made following poor results and a failed qualification for the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

stavn signed by NIP as the team’s new AWPer

• NIP announced the signing of a new sniper player — Danish player stavn, who had spent more than half a year on the bench at Astralis.

ATB and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 collaboration launched

• A joint promotion between GSC Game World and the ATB supermarket chain has started, dedicated to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

Ukraine national team reaches FIFAe Nations League Week 1 playoffs

• Ukraine’s eFootball Console national team finished fourth in their group at FIFAe Nations League 2026 Week 1, securing a playoff spot.