By Sagar V. Mankar 
Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and Tencent E-Sports announced a strategic partnership on February 18, 2025, at the “Empower Esports Worldwide Series” in Shenzhen, China.
The partnership establishes an “EWC China Development Team” to enhance the Esports World Cup’s engagement in the Chinese market.
According to the Electronic Sports Committee of China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association (ESC), China currently has 490 million esports users, with the industry generating 27.57 billion RMB (£2.97 billion) in revenues in 2024.
Tencent E-Sports will provide marketing expertise, strategic consulting, and operational support for EWC’s expansion in China. The company has experience operating tournaments in over 90 countries and regions.
The collaboration follows the successful completion of the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024, which featured:
- 1,500 athletes from 100 countries
- 200 participating clubs
- 21 game titles
- $60 million prize pool
- 2.6 million visitors in Riyadh
The 2025 Esports World Cup, scheduled to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will expand to include 23 tournaments across multiple titles including CS2, Street Fighter 6, League of Legends, PUBG, Honor of Kings, Chess, and Valorant. More titles are expected to be announced as the event approaches.
Mars Hou, Vice President of Tencent Games and General Manager of Tencent E-sports, stated that the partnership aims to integrate China’s esports industry with the world’s largest competitive gaming event.
“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. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with EWCF to push esports forward on a global scale.”
Thamer Al Shuaibi, Chief of Staff at the Esports World Cup Foundation, confirmed that China is a key growth market for their global platform strategy.
“China plays a critical role in this vision, and Tencent’s leadership in gaming and esports positions it as an essential partner. By combining our expertise, we will continue to strengthen esports as an industry, providing new opportunities for Chinese players and Clubs, and bringing the best of the Esports World Cup to Chinese fans.”
Beyond the Esports World Cup, the EWC Foundation has recently become the founding partner of the Esports Olympic Games in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee.
Sources: VentureBeat, Yicai China