The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has inked a partnership with the Chinese digital giant Tencent’s esports arm to strengthen its footprint in the area.
As part of the collaboration, Tencent Esports will help the EWC brand expand in China by increasing awareness, fan engagement, and activations with the Chinese industry to further entrench the brand.
This will be aided by the formation of the EWC China Development staff, a specialised staff tasked with capitalising on Tencent Esports’ extensive industry connections.
Tencent, for its part, will offer consultancy and marketing expertise to the EWCF in its worldwide growth efforts, along with logistical and operational support for EWCF activities and events.
Tencent Esports General Manager and Vice-President of Tencent Games, Mars Hou, said, “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 largest esports market, and if the EWC wants to be a long-term success, it must establish a presence in the nation. The 2025 Esports World Cup, like the inaugural event in 2024, will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom is currently considering China as a target market for its esports investments, as proven by Savvy Games Group, an esports and gaming company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth vehicle, which will invest $265 million in Chinese tournament operator and esports company VSPO in 2023.
Tencent owns Riot titles, the producer of popular esports titles League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant, all of which compete in the Esports World Cup.
