Get ready: the 2025 Esports World Cup kicks off in early July in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together top teams from around the globe to battle in Honor of Kings, League of Legends, Street Fighter and more.
Huang Cheng, head of the King of Glory Professional League, says interest in Chinese mainland esports culture is surging. Tickets for the King Pro League Spring 2025 finals sold out in under two minutes, and over 80 percent of fans traveled from other cities to catch the live action.
But the impact goes far beyond the arena. Young esports enthusiasts are fueling a citywide consumption boom, touring gaming landmarks, sampling local street food, and hunting down exclusive merch. This fusion of digital culture and urban exploration is giving a new twist to cultural tourism on the Chinese mainland.
Looking ahead, Huang highlights even bigger cross-border opportunities: from the electrifying esports showcase at the Hangzhou Asian Games to the 2027 Esports Olympics in Saudi Arabia, the scene is set for deeper cultural exchange and economic growth.
Reference(s):
Esports-driven cultural tourism injects vigor into China's economy
cgtn.com
