You can expect VALORANT to mark Lunar New Year 2026 with a new in-game event pass that offers rewards you can unlock just by playing. The celebration aligns with the Year of the Horse and brings a limited-time progression track focused on themed cosmetics.
You also see the Lunar New Year reflected across Riot’s other titles, with each game taking a different approach to the holiday. In VALORANT, the focus stays on a free event pass designed to give you seasonal content without requiring a purchase.
Lunar 2026 Event Pass
You can earn a limited set of Lunar-themed cosmetics during the 2026 celebration, available from February 5 to March 2. Progress comes from regular play, so you unlock rewards by completing matches rather than grinding specific challenges.
Available rewards include:
| Type | Item |
|---|---|
| Player Cards | Tactidance, Horse Brings the Luck |
| Spray | Red Fortunes |
| Gun Buddy | Fa |
| Title | Horsepower, Flaming Steed |
| Currency | 20 RP |
You keep everything you unlock once you claim it, but access ends when the event closes. Make time during the window to finish the track.
Unconfirmed reports point to a separate themed bundle tied to the event. Riot has not announced details, so treat that information as tentative until official updates arrive.
Year of the Horse
You see the 2026 Lunar celebration lean into the Horse theme through a short VALORANT trailer shared on Riot’s official channels. Gekko and Iso appear in a lighthearted shooting sequence, repeatedly missing fast-moving targets while trading lines packed with horse-related references.
You may notice the joke lands differently if you understand the language play behind it. In Mandarin, “马” means horse, while a similar-sounding phrase refers to whiffing shots. The repeated misses reflect that wordplay, turning failure into the punchline rather than a mistake.
You might also catch subtle background audio that sounds like modern Chinese rap. Some fans read it as a teaser tied to the event, though Riot has not confirmed the track.
You experience the Horse as more than a visual theme. Within the Lunar calendar, it carries specific cultural meaning.
| Symbol | Common Associations |
|---|---|
| Horse | Energy, independence, forward drive |
You connect these traits to the fast pace and momentum emphasized throughout the celebration.
