By Sagar V. Mankar 
South Korea is launching a new regional esports league in 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea eSports Association (KeSPA) on February 17.
The new league is part of the government’s five-year gaming industry promotion plan spanning from 2024 to 2028. According to Chosun.biz, this initiative aims to strengthen local esports ecosystems by establishing franchise teams and utilizing regional esports venues for regular competitions.
Three popular games have been selected for the inaugural season:
- PUBG Mobile by KRAFTON
- Eternal Return by Nimble Neuron
- FC Mobile by Nexon Korea
The competition schedule will run from May through August, with matches taking place both online and at local esports venues.
Eternal Return tournaments will extend until October, operating independently from the established President’s Cup amateur esports tournament (KeG).
The league offers significant support to participating organizations. Local governments, sports organizations, and regional public agencies are eligible to apply for franchise team establishment. To ensure sustained growth, selected teams can receive operational funding for up to four years.