VALORANT players can book onto a free event in Manchester’s Northern Quarter tonight to play a new update early.Joshua Boyles Technology, gaming and entertainment affiliates writer
17:48, 06 Oct 2025
A VALORANT event is coming to Pixel Bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter tonight.(Image: Riot Games)
Publisher of the competitive online shooter VALORANT is bringing an exclusive themed event to Manchester tonight with local players able to get their hands on the latest update coming to the game before anyone else in the world. This follows the recent VCT Champions tournament that took place in Paris over the weekend, where publisher Riot Games announced the latest hero coming to the game – Veto.
Fans of the game who head along to Pixel Bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter at 6pm tonight will be given a chance to try out the hero for themselves before the update goes live globally on October 7. The new hero has some exciting new abilities, most of which seem to be centred around countering enemy utility.
Pixel Bar is a gaming-themed venue in Manchester, with a fully-stocked bar upstairs and a set of gaming PCs in an event space downstairs. Fans looking to attend the VALORANT event will need to pre-book via Eventbrite, with tickets already selling out fast.
Alongside playing the latest VALORANT update before anyone else, players will be able to play ‘fun VALORANT mini games’, as well as take part in giveaways and other activities. Pixel Bar is also providing food and themed cocktails, although these will need to be purchased as they aren’t included in the free event entry.
“Although we can’t reveal just yet all the content that players will be able to get their hands on, we can’t wait to bring the First to Play experience to Manchester.” said Richard Churchill, VALORANT Brand Manager for Northern Europe. “Connecting our community and offering them unique opportunities to celebrate their favourite game together is something we constantly strive for at Riot Games.”
Those who don’t manage to get a ticket to tonight’s event can play Veto for themselves when the update goes live in the game tomorrow on October 7. Here’s a list of the new abilities for Veto, the 28th hero to arrive in VALORANT:
- Crosscut (C): Fire to place on the ground. While in range and looking at the vortex, reactivate to teleport. During the buy phase, the vortex can be reclaimed to be redeployed.
- Interceptor (E): Fire to place at projected location. Re-use to activate. Once active, it will destroy any utility that would bounce off a player and/or be destroyed naturally by gunfire. Enemies can destroy the Interceptor.
- Chokehold (Q): Fire to throw. Deploys on ground impact, trapping enemies who step into it. Enemies are deafened and decayed. Enemies can destroy the trap before activation.
- Evolution (X): Instantly gain a combat stim, regeneration, and become immune to all forms of debuffs.
VALORANT event at Pixel Bar
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Free
Eventbrite
Book tickets for the VALORANT event at Pixel Bar in Manchester here.
Veto can be unlocked by players for free by activating his in-game contract and completing matches to earn XP points. However, players can also purchase Riot Points with real money to unlock the Agent immediately.
Agents cost 1,000 RP in VALORANT, which is £8.59 when purchased directly from Riot. However, it’s possible to get 1,000 RP for a bit less when purchased through Loaded.
Grab 1,000 Riot Points here for £7.99 at a 7% discount. Players can save a bit more by purchasing more points at once, with Loaded knocking 12% off a purchase of 2,565 points down to £18.99.