Ben Affleck Joins Tarik’s VALORANT Stream, Declares Love for Esports and Sentinels

On April 19, actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck surprised the VALORANT community by dropping into a VCT Americas watch party stream hosted by streamer Tarik “Tarik” Celik and Sentinels CEO Rob Moore. Not only did he confirm he’s a Sentinels fan, but he also revealed that he plays VALORANT himself—thanks to his son.

The stream, centered around the match between Sentinels and G2 Esports, took an entertaining turn when Affleck joined the couch. What followed was a mix of wholesome banter, surprising confessions, and an honest appreciation for the talent on display in the esports scene.

"It Amazes Me"

Affleck said it was his son who introduced him to the game, and although he doesn’t claim to be good, he’s constantly stunned by the skill ceiling in VALORANT.

“When I play, I’m like, these guys have to be cheating. No one is this good. They just rock me immediately.”

He reminisced about attending VALORANT Champions 2023 in Los Angeles, noting that the atmosphere was beyond anything he expected.

“There are pro sports teams that can’t sell out the Forum. But this event did—it was really impressive. It brought home to me how massive this whole system is.”

A True Sentinels Fan

When Tarik quizzed Affleck about his loyalty, he passed the test with flying colors. He confirmed that he owns the Sentinels skin bundle, prompting jokes from his son, who said, “I don’t think there’s a skin in the game he doesn’t own.”

The stream also featured a hilarious roast session from Affleck’s son:

“This dude… I’ve duoed with him for so long. He doesn’t even know how to buy a Vandal. He just goes Odin, sits down with Brimstone, and (makes Odin noises).”

Affleck defended his playstyle with a smile: “Hey, don’t make fun of the Odin, man!”

His VALORANT Rank? Iron, But With a Twist

When asked about his rank, Affleck admitted, “I was Iron 3, then I started a new season… I got a job!” The honesty sparked laughs, and his humility only made him more relatable to casual players.

The two also talked about their in-game habits, revealing that they use comms but keep their identities hidden unless provoked by trash talk from the enemy team. Affleck added a dose of realism:

“It sucks when you're on the other end and you turn a corner and you get headshot and you didn't even see the person who killed you, and then they start typing in the chat and say 'I'm twelve and you suck.’”

Celebrity Power Meets Esports Fandom

While Affleck promoted his upcoming movie, The Accountant 2, during the stream, his genuine passion for esports came through loud and clear. His appreciation for players like TenZ (“It’s witchcraft how good he is”) and his son’s admiration for Zekken showcased just how deep their fandom goes.

The stream's light-hearted yet authentic energy didn’t go unnoticed by the internet. Sentinels’ social media leaned into the meme, joking: “Ben Affleck held a Masters trophy before G2.” Fans also joined in with posts like “This is why I’m a SEN fan” and “Insane. Batman roasting G2.”

Affleck’s appearance may feel like a fun one-off, but its implications could be broader. With stars like Lionel Messi investing in KRÜ Esports and even Elon Musk attending Champions, Affleck's deep interest in VALORANT adds to the growing list of celebrity engagements in the esports world.

What makes Affleck’s involvement stand out, however, is its authenticity. He’s not just showing up—he’s playing, studying the game, watching tournaments, and supporting a team with enthusiasm. For esports fans, that’s the kind of attention that matters.

Source: SI