Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 6 July 2026: Sony has announced that its INZONE H9 II has been named the Official Headset of the VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA, the leading esports circuit for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The partnership places the gaming headset at the centre of one of the region’s biggest competitive gaming tournaments. During Stage 1 of VCT EMEA, players used the INZONE H9 II on stage to communicate with teammates and stay focused during matches.
In VALORANT, where split-second audio cues and clear team communication can influence the outcome of a match, reliable audio equipment plays an important role. The INZONE H9 II is designed to support competitive gaming through clear communication, noise cancellation and low-latency performance.
The partnership also reflects the growing importance of esports across the Middle East, where cities including Riyadh and Dubai have become major centres for competitive gaming and international tournaments.
“Being part of VCT EMEA is something we’re genuinely excited about, and we can’t wait for fans across the Middle East and Africa to experience what this headset can do on one of the region’s biggest stages,” said Mahesh Kodoth, General Manager, Personal Entertainment Marketing, Sony Middle East and Africa.
The INZONE H9 II was developed in partnership with Fnatic, one of the world’s leading esports organisations. Competitive communication was a key focus in the headset’s development.
Its AI-optimised microphone is designed to reduce background noise and make teammate voices clearer during matches. Players can also use Sony’s INZONE Hub software to adjust settings, including EQ profiles developed with Fnatic specifically for VALORANT.
Boaster, a player for Fnatic’s VALORANT team, said working with Sony INZONE on the headset had been an important experience.
“Helping SONY INZONE over the last few years build their headset has been an insane experience and I am so proud of the headset that we were able to make together. I use it every day at home and now I get to use it in tournaments as well. It is a perfect setup for me,” he said.
The partnership will also feature VALORANT star TenZ, who will take part in Sony INZONE content activations throughout the 2026 VCT season. These will include behind-the-scenes content and social media campaigns.
With the INZONE H9 II now part of the VCT EMEA stage, Sony is strengthening its presence in competitive gaming while connecting with the growing esports audience across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
