The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), organizer of the titular international esports competition, has partnered with Chinese digital giant Tencent’s esports arm to expand its presence in the region.
As part of the strategic partnership, Tencent Esports will enable the growth of the EWC brand in China through added visibility, fan engagement, activations, and interactions with the industry in China to embed the brand further.
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This will be facilitated by the establishment of the EWC China Development Team, a dedicated team tasked with leveraging Tencent Esports’ deep ties to the industry.
Tencent for its part will provide consultation and its marketing prowess to the EWCF in its expansion efforts, as well as logistical and operational support for EWCF operations and events.
Speaking on the partnership, Tencent Esports general manager and vice president of Tencent Games, Mars Hou, stated: “The Esports World Cup has created a global stage for competitive gaming, demonstrating its influence not only in China but across the world.
“Through this partnership, we are committed to elevating EWC’s presence in China and integrating our esports industry with the world’s largest competitive gaming event.”
China is the world’s biggest esports market, and if the EWC is to be a long-term sustainable event, it will need to make inroads into the country.
As with its 2024 debut, the 2025 Esports World Cup will again be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom has already targeted China as a target market for its esports investments as evidenced by esports and gaming company Savvy Games Group, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth vehicle, which in 2023 invested $265 million into Chinese tournament operator and esports company VSPO.
Tencent owns video game developer Riot Games, maker of major esports games League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant, all of which feature at the Esports World Cup.
