Create a VALORANT Account: Riot ID, MFA and Region

Short answer: create a VALORANT account only through the official Riot/VALORANT sign-up flow. Use an email you control and your real region of residence, choose a unique password, verify email, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), and install through the official Riot Client.

Account setup step by step

Open the Play/Create Account flow on playvalorant.com. Enter Riot credentials only when the address bar shows authenticate.riotgames.com.
Provide the requested email, date of birth, login username and strong password. Fields can vary by country or flow.
Verify the email; it is central to recovery and change approval.
Enable MFA from Riot Account security using Riot Mobile, an authenticator or the supported email method.
Set the public Riot ID in GameName#Tagline format; it is not the private login username.
Install Riot Client and VALORANT from the official site and restart if Vanguard requests it.

If Vanguard flags TPM, Secure Boot or Windows 11, do not change random BIOS options; use the VALORANT TPM 2.0 guide.

Login username: private credential for Riot Client and account pages.
Riot ID: public identity across Riot games.
Game Name: part before #.
Tagline: short alphanumeric part after #, not an icon or matchmaking badge.

Riot's current support page specifies 3–16 alphanumeric characters for Game Name and 3–5 for Tagline. The full combination must be available and appropriate. Change cooldowns and reserved region tags can change, so follow the current account-page warning.

Why region and shard matter

Region of residence can determine server/shard access, store payment methods and the players you can queue with. Use your real residence; do not pick a fake country or VPN for cheaper VP, another store or easier lobbies. If detected incorrectly, use Riot Support's official residence-region checker.

Before buying, separate VP from RR, Radianite and Kingdom Credits with the VALORANT Points guide.

When does Competitive unlock?

Riot's Patch 4.0 rule requires accounts that have never played Ranked to reach account level 20 before Competitive. Account level is not rank or hidden MMR. Learn maps, Agents, economy and comms in available modes; the current client eligibility message is authoritative. Then use the rank system guide for placements, rank and RR.

Security checklist

Enable MFA on the email account too and never reuse the Riot password.
Store a long unique password in a trusted password manager.
Sign out on shared devices and do not leave “remember me” enabled.
Never share password, email access, verification/QR codes or recovery details.
Boosting, buying, selling, lending and sharing accounts violate Riot rules and complicate recovery.

Once ranked, find a legitimate team through the LFT listing guide.

Official sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a new VALORANT account?

Use the official VALORANT or Riot account page with an email you control, your date of birth, a login username and a strong password; verify email, enable MFA and sign in through Riot Client.

Are the Riot username and Riot ID the same?

No. The login username is private and used to sign in. Your Riot ID is the public GameName#Tagline shown in Riot games.

Can a new account play Competitive?

Under Riot's published rule, accounts that have never played Ranked must reach account level 20 before entering Competitive. Check the current eligibility message in client.

Why does account region matter?

Region of residence can affect shard/server, payment options and who you can queue with. If it is wrong, use Riot's official region tool rather than a VPN or false country.