Alpha vs Omega in VALORANT: What Is This Global Event?

At the start of 2026, Riot Games introduced Alpha vs Omega, a large-scale global event launched as part of VALORANT V26 (Act 1). The event is built around a faction-based challenge where players choose one of two sides and contribute points through regular gameplay. Alpha vs Omega combines competitive participation, weekly objectives, and VALORANT’s evolving lore into a single four-week experience.

What Is Alpha vs Omega?

Alpha vs Omega is a global confrontation between two factions representing different versions of reality within the VALORANT universe. After choosing either Alpha or Omega, players earn points for their faction simply by playing matches and completing weekly objectives.

The event is closely tied to VALORANT’s narrative direction and the cinematic “Welcome to My World”, which showcases the growing conflict between the Alpha and Omega realities and sets the tone for the 2026 season.

Event Dates and Duration

The Alpha vs Omega event begins on January 7, 2026, at 09:00 CET, and runs until February 4, 2026, at 08:59 CET, lasting a total of four weeks. Participation is available on both PC and console platforms

How to Participate

To take part, players must select one of the two factions:

• Alpha
• Omega

Alternatively, players can complete a short quiz that recommends a faction based on personal motivation and preferences.

Once a faction is selected, it cannot be changed until the event ends, making the decision permanent for all four weeks.

How Points Are Earned

Players earn points for their faction by playing standard VALORANT matches.

• Win: 3 points
• Loss: 1 point

If both factions end a week with the same number of points, the winner is determined by ACS (Average Combat Score).

To qualify for weekly rewards, players must complete at least three matches during that week.

Weekly Global Challenges

Each week introduces a different global objective that contributes to the faction score:

Connection to Season 26 Updates

Alpha vs Omega is not a standalone activity but part of the broader changes introduced in Season 26. Many of its mechanics, balance adjustments, and featured modes align with the overall direction of the update. These changes are explained in more detail in the article “ Valorant Season 26 Details: Patch 12.00 Overview ”, which outlines how gameplay updates and seasonal content support events like Alpha vs Omega.

In-Game Rewards

Each week, the winning faction receives an exclusive Player Card.The reward is granted to all players on the winning side who completed the minimum match requirement for that week.

Physical and Real-World Prizes

The most active players and selected content creators may receive real-world rewards, including:

• gaming keyboards and mice
• controllers
• official VALORANT merchandise

In some regions, physical rewards are replaced with VALORANT Points due to local giveaway restrictions.

Lore and Narrative Context

From a lore perspective, Alpha vs Omega represents a core conflict in the VALORANT universe.

• Alpha is the primary, established reality
• Omega is an alternative world suffering from a shortage of radianite and essential resources

According to the story, Omega’s attempts to extract resources from Alpha lead to escalating tensions and open conflict. This narrative theme is reflected across cinematics, seasonal visuals, and in-game events throughout 2026.

Player Experience and Known Issues

Some players reported minor issues during the early stages of the event, such as problems with faction selection or delayed score updates. In most cases, these issues resolved automatically or after refreshing the page and did not significantly impact overall progress.

Alpha vs Omega stands out as a season-long community event that gives meaning to every match played during V26 Act 1. By blending faction competition, weekly objectives, and story development, Riot Games created an event where individual performance directly contributes to a global outcome, reinforcing both player engagement and VALORANT’s evolving narrative.