Tencent Esports
Tencent's esports business brand, operating tournaments, leagues, education initiatives, technology programs, and related esports content.
Last updated October 12, 2026
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Overview
Tencent Esports is the esports business brand of Tencent Holdings and an operating division associated with Tencent Interactive Entertainment and the company's Neo-Culture Creativity activities. Formally established on December 9, 2016, it developed from TGA, a Tencent gaming and esports platform created in 2010. The brand was created to coordinate Tencent's growing portfolio of competitive gaming properties and to build a broader esports ecosystem around them rather than treating each game competition as an isolated activity. Its principal activities include the operation and promotion of professional esports leagues, tournament organization, esports content production, athlete and club-related activities, education, technology development, commercial partnerships, and international industry cooperation. Its league portfolio has included competitions connected with League of Legends, Honor of Kings, Peace Elite, CrossFire, and other Tencent game properties. Examples cited in reference material include the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), King Pro League (KPL), King Glory League (KGL), Peace Elite League (PEL), and CrossFire Pro League (CFPL). The business therefore combines media and event operations with the underlying game ecosystems, teams, players, venues, sponsors, and digital platforms required to sustain competitive gaming. Tencent Esports has also used partnerships to extend esports into education, telecommunications, consumer retail, hospitality, sports, and international institutional networks. It worked with the University of Oxford on esports courses and tournaments, collaborated with Manchester City Football Club and FC Barcelona, and established a 5G esports joint laboratory with China Unicom. It has also undertaken branded hardware, hotel, café, and themed-room initiatives, including work with Razer, Shangri-La Group, and Tim Hortons. These projects position the brand as an ecosystem operator and industry-development platform as well as a tournament organizer. The brand has participated in the institutionalization of esports in Asia. In 2018, Tencent game titles and associated athletes were part of esports activities at the Jakarta Asian Games, where the Chinese esports team won two gold medals and one silver medal. Tencent Esports became a founding partner of the Global Esports Federation in 2019 and later cooperated with the Asian Electronic Sports Federation. It also contributed to esports-related Asian Games programs, including preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games, where esports became a medal event. Its international work expanded through the Empower Esports Worldwide Series, launched in 2024, with events reported in Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, and Shenzhen. Tencent Esports remains active as a Tencent-controlled esports brand. Its current direction, based on the documented initiatives, emphasizes professional leagues, global ecosystem exchange, esports technology, education, industry research, and cooperation with sporting and esports institutions. It should be distinguished from Tencent's individual game brands and from independent esports clubs: Tencent Esports is the coordinating business and platform brand associated with a range of Tencent game competitions and development programs.
History
Tencent Esports traces its organizational background to TGA, a Tencent platform established in 2010. As Tencent's game portfolio expanded and competitive gaming became more structured, the company reorganized its esports activity into a dedicated brand. Tencent Esports was formally established on December 9, 2016, as a new division operating independently. On June 16, 2017, it announced a five-year plan intended to guide the development of its competitions, industry partnerships, and wider esports ecosystem. A major early phase involved linking Tencent's game competitions with the international recognition of esports. At the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, esports appeared as a demonstration sport. Tencent Esports was associated with three participating game titles—League of Legends, Honor of Kings, and Clash Royale—and athletes representing China won two gold medals and one silver medal. The same period also saw the brand pursue institutional and educational initiatives. It worked with the University of Oxford to establish esports courses and organize tournaments, indicating an effort to treat esports as an area of study and organized professional activity rather than only entertainment content. From 2019 onward, Tencent Esports broadened its external network. It collaborated with Manchester City Football Club, established a 5G esports joint laboratory with China Unicom, and cooperated with China Media Group. Arena of Valor, the international version of Honor of Kings, was selected as an official title for the Southeast Asian Games in 2019. Tencent Esports also became a founding partner of the Global Esports Federation, giving it a role in an international institutional framework. In 2020, it launched the #worldconnected initiative, partnered with FC Barcelona, and worked with Razer on co-branded gaming peripherals. The brand continued developing adjacent commercial and lifestyle applications. In 2021, it worked with Shangri-La Group on customized gaming-themed rooms and opened a Tim Hortons and Tencent Esports café in Shenzhen. Esports preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games also advanced, with Tencent-associated titles including League of Legends and FIFA Online 4 selected for the program. Esports subsequently became a medal event at those Games. A Tencent Esports-associated hotel project, Jinge Hotel, began operating in 2022. Industry research and federation cooperation became increasingly visible in the 2020s. In July 2022, Tencent Esports and the Asian Electronic Sports Federation jointly released an Asian esports industry development report. In July 2023, Shenzhen hosted the Global Esports Summit and Tencent Esports Annual Conference. In June 2024, the brand announced the Empower Esports Worldwide Series. Its reported events included a Saudi Arabian gathering in August 2024, a Tokyo event in September 2024, and a Shenzhen event on February 16, 2025, involving representatives of esports, sporting, and regional institutions. In 2025, Tencent Esports deepened its China-facing relationship with the Esports World Cup Foundation by becoming its strategic partner in China and agreeing to establish a China Development Team. In June of that year, Tencent Esports and the National Esports Development Research Institute of China Media Group jointly launched a report on global esports industry development. In January 2026, the brand entered a partnership with the Olympic Council of Asia and was designated the organization's official esports technology partner through 2035. The documented trajectory shows a shift from organizing Tencent game leagues toward a broader role spanning professional competition, education, research, technology, international exchange, and commercial experiences.
- 2026
Olympic Council of Asia esports technology partnership
[1]Tencent Esports entered an agreement to serve as the Olympic Council of Asia's official esports technology partner through 2035.
- 2025
Strategic partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation
[1]Tencent Esports became the Esports World Cup Foundation's strategic partner in China and planned a China Development Team.
- 2024
Empower Esports Worldwide Series launched
[1]Tencent Esports introduced a series focused on international esports exchange, with reported events in Saudi Arabia and Tokyo.
- 2022
Asian esports industry report released
[1]Tencent Esports and the Asian Electronic Sports Federation jointly published an Asian esports industry development report.
- 2021
Hospitality and café collaborations begin
[1]The brand expanded into gaming-themed hotel rooms and opened a Tim Hortons and Tencent Esports café in Shenzhen.
- 2019
International federation and sports partnerships expand
[1]Tencent Esports became a founding partner of the Global Esports Federation and pursued cooperation with Manchester City, China Unicom, and China Media Group.
- 2018
Tencent titles participate in the Jakarta Asian Games esports program
[1]Tencent-associated titles participated when esports was included as a demonstration sport; the Chinese team won two gold medals and one silver medal.
- 2017
Five-year development plan announced
[1]The brand released a five-year plan on June 16, 2017, outlining its intended development direction.
- 2016
Tencent Esports is formally established
[1]Tencent formally created Tencent Esports as a new division on December 9, 2016.
- 2010
TGA is established
[1]TGA, the predecessor platform associated with Tencent Esports, was established as Tencent's earlier esports-related activity.
Products and positioning
A Tencent-backed esports ecosystem operator combining professional competition, game-linked leagues, content, education, technology, and international industry partnerships.
Professional esports league
League of Legends Pro League
The LPL is Tencent Esports' professional League of Legends competition in China. It forms part of the brand's core league portfolio and connects game publishing, professional clubs, athletes, live events, broadcast content, and international competitive pathways.
Professional esports league
King Pro League
The KPL is the principal professional competition associated with Honor of Kings. It is one of Tencent Esports' flagship domestic leagues and supports a structured ecosystem of teams, players, seasonal competition, media coverage, and fan engagement.
Professional esports league
King Glory League
The KGL is a professional league associated with Honor of Kings and the wider Tencent Esports competition system. It supplements the brand's top-level league structure and provides another organized platform for competitive play.
Professional esports league
Peace Elite League
The PEL is Tencent Esports' professional competition connected with Peace Elite. It combines regular competitive play with teams, players, broadcast production, and event operations within Tencent's mobile battle-royale esports ecosystem.
Professional esports league
CrossFire Pro League
The CFPL is a professional league linked to CrossFire. It represents Tencent Esports' involvement in the competitive first-person-shooter category and contributes to the brand's multi-title league portfolio.
International esports event series · 2024
Empower Esports Worldwide Series
Launched in 2024, the Empower Esports Worldwide Series is an international Tencent Esports initiative focused on cross-market ecosystem exchange, industry discussion, and cooperation among esports stakeholders. Reported events have taken place in Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, and Shenzhen.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Empower Esports Worldwide Series
Saudi Arabia · Japan · China
Tencent Esports launched a worldwide event series centered on international esports exchange and discussion of ecosystem development.
Outcome. Events were reported in Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, and Shenzhen between 2024 and 2025.
- 2020#worldconnected
International
Tencent Esports introduced the #worldconnected initiative to emphasize connections among esports communities and participants across markets.
Outcome. The documented material does not provide a quantified outcome.
Brand decisions
2026
Become the Olympic Council of Asia's esports technology partnerOtherBackground
The Olympic Council of Asia sought a long-term technology partnership for its esports-related activities.
Action taken
Tencent Esports entered an agreement to serve as the organization's official esports technology partner through 2035.
Aftermath
The agreement further associated Tencent Esports with Asian multi-sport and esports institutional development.
2025
Establish a China esports development partnership with the EWCFOtherBackground
The Esports World Cup Foundation and Tencent Esports sought a structured basis for cooperation in the Chinese esports market.
Action taken
Tencent Esports became a strategic partner of the foundation in China and agreed to jointly establish a China Development Team.
Aftermath
The agreement strengthened Tencent Esports' role in connecting Chinese esports stakeholders with the Esports World Cup ecosystem.
2024
Expand international esports ecosystem exchangeStrategyBackground
Tencent Esports sought to extend its role beyond China-based game competitions and participate more visibly in global esports development.
Action taken
It launched the Empower Esports Worldwide Series and held or supported related events in multiple markets.
Aftermath
The series continued with events in Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, and Shenzhen, followed by expanded institutional partnerships in China.
2017
Adopt a five-year esports development planStrategyBackground
After its formal creation, Tencent Esports set out a longer-term plan for building a more complete competitive gaming ecosystem.
Action taken
The brand released its five-year plan on June 16, 2017.
Aftermath
Subsequent activity included professional leagues, education, technology laboratories, federation partnerships, and commercial collaborations.
2016
Create Tencent Esports as an independent divisionStrategyBackground
Tencent's expanding game portfolio required a more coordinated esports organization than the earlier TGA platform provided.
Action taken
Tencent formally established Tencent Esports on December 9, 2016, as a new division operating independently.
Aftermath
The division became the coordinating brand for multiple Tencent game leagues and broader esports development initiatives.
Recent events
- 2026
Tencent Esports partners with the Olympic Council of Asia on esports technology[1]
Other
Tencent Esports entered a partnership with the Olympic Council of Asia under which it is to serve as the organization's official esports technology partner through 2035.
- 2025
Tencent Esports and the Esports World Cup Foundation establish a China development partnership[1]
Other
Tencent Esports became a strategic partner of the Esports World Cup Foundation in China, with the parties planning a China Development Team.
- 2024
Tencent Esports releases the Empower Esports Worldwide Series[1]
Campaign
Tencent Esports introduced a worldwide series intended to support international exchange and discussion across esports ecosystems.
- 2021
Tencent Esports expands into themed hospitality and café concepts[1]
Product launch
The brand collaborated with Shangri-La Group on gaming-themed rooms and opened a Tim Hortons and Tencent Esports café in Shenzhen.
- 2020
Tencent Esports launches the #worldconnected initiative[1]
Campaign
The brand introduced an initiative presented as a way to connect esports communities and participants across regions.
- 2020
Tencent Esports and Razer release co-branded gaming peripherals[1]
Product launch
Tencent Esports and Razer introduced jointly branded gaming hardware as part of the brand's consumer and commercial ecosystem activity.
- 2019
Tencent Esports becomes a founding partner of the Global Esports Federation[1]
Other
Tencent Esports entered the Global Esports Federation's founding partner network, strengthening its relationship with international esports governance and development activity.
Sources7 sources
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