Riot Games kicks off the Valorant 2026 Season Start with a dark, seductive reimagining of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” Check out the video above to see the early-2000s classic transformed into a brooding electronic-pop anthem, hauntingly fitting with what is happening on the screen.
The track arrives alongside the cinematic ‘Why We Fight Back’, steeped in vengeance and ambition, building off last year’s ‘Why We Fight’. The video is created in partnership with Brunch Studios, while the song is performed by the rising alt-pop artist KiNG MALA and the KPop Demon Hunters’ standout Audrey Nuna.
“Being invited into the Riot Games and VALORANT world is something I’ll never forget,” shares KiNG MALA. “The chance to reimagine a song I’ve loved for so long was already huge, but finding out that Audrey – one of the artists who inspires me most – would be part of it too made it unforgettable. I’m truly so stoked to have been a part of such an incredible experience.”
“Starting the year with a track this emotionally charged feels incredibly special,” shares Jonny Altepeter, Lead Music Supervisor at Riot Games. “KiNG MALA and Audrey Nuna brought a raw intensity to ‘Toxic’ that immediately connected with the themes we’re exploring in WHY WE FIGHT BACK. We’re thrilled to share this piece with players as we enter a season where the stakes and the emotions are higher than ever.”
The stage is set for a new year of VALORANT—it’s Alpha vs Omega, Viper vs Brim, and the Dev team has taken sides. With Patch 12.00, 2026 starts with a new weapon, a major map rework, changes to the MMR System, player behavior updates, a new mode, new esports cities, and more. Watch the 10-minutes long video below to get more details!
ABOUT VALORANT:
Valorant is a free-to-play game of precise skill, high stakes, lethal gameplay, and clutch moments that reward creative gameplay styles. It pits two teams of five against one another, with the action taking place across a number of rounds.
Each player takes on the role of either an attacker or a defender that is part of a diverse cast of hypernatural, battle-ready agents from real-world cultures and locations. Each one has, of course, his or her own special set of abilities that can be used tactically to each team’s advantage.
Valorant is free to download and play right now. Are you ready to defy the limits? Check out the official site to find out more.
