By Sagar V. Mankar 
Hero Esports, Asia’s leading esports company, has officially announced detailed plans for the Honor of Kings tournament within the Asian Champions League (ACL).
The tournament will feature 12 teams battling for a $200,000 prize pool, which is part of ACL’s total $2 million prize fund. The competition is set to begin on May 5, 2025, in Shanghai, culminating in the finals on May 18.
Tournament Format
The event will be structured into three stages: Qualifiers, Knockout Stage, and Finals.
Stage 1: Qualifiers (May 5, 6, and 13)
Participating Teams:
- Teams ranked A5 and A6 from the KPL Spring 2025 regular season
- All teams from Group B
Format:
- First Round: Best-of-three (BO3) single elimination
- Second Round: Best-of-five (BO5) single elimination
- Final Round: Best-of-seven (BO7)
Outcome: Only one team will advance to the next stage.
Stage 2: Knockout Stage (May 14-16)
Participating Teams:
- Winner from the Qualifiers
- Teams ranked 3rd to 5th in the KPL Spring 2025 playoffs
Format: Best-of-seven (BO7) single elimination
Outcome: One team will secure a spot in the Finals.
Stage 3: Finals (May 18)
Participating Teams:
- Winner from the Knockout Stage
- KPL Spring 2025 runner-up
Format: Best-of-seven (BO7)
Path to the Esports World Cup 2025
This collaboration between the KPL, ACL, and the Esports World Cup represents a major milestone in the esports industry. The KPL Spring 2025 champion will receive a direct invitation to the Esports World Cup 2025, while the runner-up will earn a place in the ACL Honor of Kings 2025 Finals.
Additionally, the ACL Honor of Kings champion will also qualify for the Esports World Cup, bringing Asia’s top esports talent to the global stage.
Beyond Honor of Kings, ACL has also announced five other game titles: Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Teamfight Tactics, Delta Force, and Crossfire, with more titles expected to be revealed. Winners from these competitions are also expected to secure spots at the Esports World Cup, though further details are yet to be announced.
Hero Esports: Expanding Global Influence
With backing from major investors like Savvy Games Group and Tencent, along with strategic partnerships with Kuaishou and Huya, Hero Esports continues to strengthen its presence in the global esports landscape. Originally known as VSPO, the company underwent a rebranding last year and simultaneously announced its partnership with the Esports World Cup.
Beyond ACL, Hero Esports has an impressive track record of hosting major tournaments, including the Olympic Esports Week and esports competitions at the Jakarta Asian Games 2018 and Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.
More details about the Asian Champions League (ACL) are expected to be announced soon.