Shanghai was a hub of excitement for Asian esports players and fans as the Hero Esports Asian Champions League (ACL) took center stage in May. The event marked a significant milestone, uniting the region’s esports community for the first time and drawing over 10,000 players and 1,200 teams from various parts of the world.
One of the standout moments of the ACL was the victory of the Shanghai-based Counter-Strike 2 team, Tyloo, led by Ji Dongkai, also known as “Jee”. Ji’s team emerged triumphant in a hard-fought battle during the grand finals on May 16, securing a coveted spot to represent China at the upcoming Esports World Cup.
The ACL, hosted by Hero Esports, featured a diverse range of competitions across nine game titles, including Street Fighter 6, Counter-Strike 2, Defense of the Ancients (DotA) 2, and more. The tournament’s grand finals, held from May 16 to 18, attracted nearly 50,000 attendees to Shanghai and garnered a massive online viewership of over 140 million.
With a prize pool of $2 million, the ACL Grand Finals unfolded across three venues simultaneously, offering winners direct entry to the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, vice-chairman of Savvy Games Group and honorary chairman of ACL, emphasized the global significance of esports, highlighting Asia’s pivotal role in shaping the industry.
China’s dominance in the esports arena was underscored by its status as the home to the world’s largest number of esports participants, with approximately 490 million enthusiasts in the country. In 2024, China hosted 124 official and professional esports events, with Shanghai alone accounting for 17.8% of the total, reflecting the city’s growing prominence in the esports landscape.
The growing popularity of esports was further evidenced by the massive viewership numbers recorded during the Esports World Cup, with 250 million hours of content watched online and over 500 million individual users engaging with the media platform. The global appeal of esports was palpable, with fans from China and around the world converging to witness the thrilling competitions.
As the esports industry continues to expand, the collaborative spirit of events like the ACL serves as a testament to the universal appeal of competitive gaming. The convergence of top teams and players from diverse backgrounds underscores the inclusive nature of esports, transcending geographical boundaries to create a vibrant global community of enthusiasts.
Looking ahead, the esports landscape is poised for further growth and innovation, with events like the ACL paving the way for a more interconnected and dynamic industry. As the esports ecosystem evolves, opportunities for players, teams, and fans to engage on a global scale will only continue to expand, shaping the future of competitive gaming in an increasingly interconnected world.
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