Riftbound Recap of the Houston Regional Qualifier 2025
In early December 2025, the Riftbound competitive circuit reached a major milestone in Houston, Texas, with one of the first English Regional Qualifiers for Riftbound: League of Legends. Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, players gathered from across North America and beyond to compete for glory, prizes, and a path toward the Regional Championship and ultimately the Riftbound World Championship.
The event spanned two intense days of competition (December 6–7), featuring thousands of players and establishing itself as a cornerstone for Riftbound’s organized play.
Tournament Format & Stakes
This Regional Qualifier drew a massive field — over 1,100 competitors — all vying for a shot at the $25,000 prize pool, with payouts extending into the Top 32. The winner also took home exclusive loot such as a Miss Fortune: Buccaneer playmat and alt art cards.
Here’s how the competition was structured:
- Day 1 (Saturday): Nine rounds of Swiss play, best-of-three matches.
- Day 2 (Sunday): Cut to Top 64, playing in a single-elimination bracket format to determine the champion.
Beyond cash and bragging rights, Riftbound debuted a unique reward called “Best-Of Prizing” — for each champion legend in the game, the highest-placing player using that legend earned a tournament-legal holographic metal champion card.
A Glimpse at the Meta
Player Participation & Deck Distribution
The Houston Regional wasn’t just about the prize — it was a litmus test for the Riftbound meta in competitive play. According to reports:
- Kai’Sa, Daughter of the Void was the most popular legend in attendance, played by over 33% of the field.
- Other frequently played legends included Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman and Annie, Dark Child.
While Kai’Sa dominated in sheer numbers, Annie and Master Yi often outperformed expectations, converting their entries into deep runs in day two.
Breakthrough Performances
Day two’s Top 64 included a spread of diverse decks and archetypes, but three legends stood out:
- Annie, Dark Child — known for aggressive plays and explosive finishes.
- Master Yi, Wuju Bladesman — a reactive deck rewarded for strategic depth.
- Kai’Sa, Daughter of the Void — the steady workhorse of the meta.
Multiple Annie pilots broke into the Top 8, showcasing how aggressive strategies were evolving beyond early assumptions about the meta.
Champion & Standout Moments
At the end of the weekend, Dhawally claimed the title using an Annie deck, defeating a strong Master Yi variant in the finals — a performance that turned heads and further defined the competitive landscape moving forward.
This victory was emblematic of Houston’s broader story: while staple favorites like Kai’Sa remained powerful, unexpected contenders like Annie could steal the show when piloted skillfully.
More Than Just Competition
The Riftbound Houston Regional was more than just tournament tables and Top 8 finishes — it was a community celebration:
- Side events gave players of all skill levels chances to play, earn prizes, and connect with other enthusiasts.
- Trading areas, dealer booths, and casual play spaces helped bring the broader TCG experience alive beyond the main event.
Livestream coverage, creator co-streams, and on-site casters also allowed fans around the world to tune in and follow the action.
What Houston Means for the Riftbound Scene
The Houston Regional Qualifier was a watershed moment for Riftbound organized play — a proving ground for competitors and a blueprint for future events. With Regional Qualifiers planned across Europe, North America, and beyond in 2026, the competitive scene is only set to grow more vibrant.
Houston didn’t just crown a champion — it helped define the evolving meta, celebrated diverse playstyles, and demonstrated that Riftbound’s competitive ecosystem has the depth and excitement to rival established TCG circuits.