By Sagar V. Mankar Chinese esports company Hero Esports (formerly VSPO) has announced the launch of its first multi-title tournament in Asia, which will also serve as a qualifier for Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup.
Named the Esports Asian Champions League (ACL), the competition is set to begin next year and will feature thousands of professional players competing across Asia in a six-month-long season every year.
Backed by Tencent Holdings, VSPO is the largest esports operator in Asia, and this tournament represents its significant push to expand its global influence, with support from Saudi Arabia.
According to VSPO, the ACL will feature between 7 and 10 different game titles at its launch, although the specific games have not been revealed yet. There is speculation that popular Chinese esports games like Tencent’s Honor of Kings may be included, as Tencent and NetEase, the two largest gaming companies in China, were represented at the launch event.
The theme for the tournament is “ACL for Everyone,” which aligns with China’s broader goal of establishing a stronger presence in the global esports scene. This effort is part of the country’s strategy to increase its soft power through cultural exports, including esports.
The tournament is planned to take place in several cities across Asia. VSPO released a promotional video showcasing its “Skyring” arenas, located in key cities such as Shanghai, Seoul, and Kuala Lumpur.
Support for the ACL has also come from Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, which invested $265 million into VSPO last year. Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who serves as vice-chairman of Savvy Games Group and ACL’s honorary chairman, also attended the launch event. Speaking at the event, Al Saud emphasized the goal of making the competition more accessible for players. He said:
“To be able to do something to bring and unite all these players together, we want to do it in a way where they don’t have to jump on a plane and travel … but to give them a chance to do this in an easier way that can really take a step forward as a regional competition.”
China, with the world’s largest esports market, is home to 490 million participants, including both gamers and viewers. The industry generated over $1.7 billion in revenue in the first half of 2024, marking a 4.4% YoY increase, per VSPO.
China’s recent performance in international esports has been strong, with the country winning four gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and claiming titles in multiple games at the Esports World Cup held in Saudi Arabia.
Currently, VSPO and the Esports World Cup are working together to decide which games will be featured in the ACL, ensuring it aligns with the global EWC qualifications for 2025.
As China and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen ties, esports has emerged as a key area of collaboration. Al Saud highlighted the potential for further cooperation between the two nations, noting that their partnership in esports is “not just about investment” but “to make this a better industry”.