Hey everyone! It's 2026, and as we dive into another Pride Month, I wanted to take a moment to talk about one of the coolest, most meaningful collectibles Riot Games ever dropped for Valorant. I'm talking about the Pride Player Cards. Even though they first launched back in 2021, these cards have become legendary items in our inventories, representing a pivotal moment when the game celebrated its diverse community. Every June, I see more and more players rocking them, and if you missed out the first time, you might be wondering about them. Well, let's break it all down.
The Pride Cards were Riot's beautiful way of honoring the LGBTQI+ community within Valorant. They're not just cosmetic fluff; each design is a vibrant, color-coded message of support. The main card, with its classic rainbow flag, is like the game's beating heart for inclusion, symbolizing the entire community. But the real magic is in the six other specific cards. Each one is a carefully crafted banner, as unique and intricate as a fingerprint, designed for different identities within the spectrum.
Here’s what each stunning card represents:
| Card Colors | Represents |
|---|---|
| Blue, Pink, White | Transgender community |
| Pink, Yellow, Blue | Pansexual community |
| Yellow, White, Purple, Black | Non-Binary community |
| Pink, Purple, Blue | Bisexual community |
| Purple, White, Grey, Black | Asexual community |
| Red, Orange, White, Pink, Purple | Lesbian community |
Now, here's the crucial part for 2026: the original redemption window has long closed. These cards were released on June 3rd, 2021, and the codes were only active until June 30th of that year. Think of that period like a rare celestial event—a once-in-a-lifetime meteor shower of inclusivity. If you redeemed them then, congrats! They're yours forever, a permanent part of your collection that shines brighter than any Radianite-upgraded skin. However, Riot has been known to re-release these cards or similar items during subsequent Pride Months as a nod to new players. While there's no official 2026 re-run announced yet, keeping an eye on official channels in June is your best bet!
How Did the Redemption Work Back Then? 🔧
For history's sake (and in case they do bring back a similar system), here was the original redemption process, which was smoother than a Jett dash when the servers behaved:
-
Head to the Site: You'd visit the special redemption portal (
redeem.playvalorant.com). -
Log In: Sign in with your Riot Games account.
-
Enter the Code: Type in one of the special, single-use codes.
Those codes were like secret keys to a hidden garden of representation. They were simple, one-word phrases:
-
Cottoncandy -
Primary -
Galactic -
Sunset -
Twilight -
Sherbet -
Prismatic
A word of warning from the old days: the site sometimes got hammered by traffic, throwing up a '503 Service Unavailable' error. The community spirit then was to not give up—persistence was key, refreshing the page was our collective ritual, like waiting for the perfect moment to defuse the spike.
Why These Cards Still Matter in 2026 🏳️🌈
Even now, years later, equipping a Pride Card does more than just decorate your player profile. It's a silent, powerful statement. It tells your teammates and opponents that you're playing in a space that values everyone. In the high-stakes, often tense environment of competitive shooters, seeing that rainbow or those specific colors can be as comforting as finding a safe haven in the middle of a chaotic map. It's a small icon that carries the weight of a thousand voices saying "you belong here."
For me, collecting all seven was a no-brainer. They are more than just pixels; they're digital heirlooms from a time when the game made its support unequivocally clear. Whether you have them from 2021 or are hoping for a 2026 revival, the Valorant Pride Cards remain a beautiful fusion of art, identity, and gaming culture. Let's hope Riot continues this awesome tradition! Remember to check their official announcements this June—you never know what prideful surprises might be in store. 🎮✨