VALORANT Patch 12.00 ushered in a new seasonal year on January 6, and it’s full of meta-stirring content and changes. From a significant overhaul of the game lobby UI to massive map reworks, Season V26 has it all, but some of its features are especially worth highlighting.
According to Riot Games, the VALORANT Season 2026 update sets the tone for the entire year. V26 will focus on combating stagnation and predictability, with changes that are both community-driven and game-friendly. But before everything else, let’s take a look at the biggest winners (and losers) of 2026’s first VALORANT patch.