China Media Group, VSPO sign partnership with Esports World Cup

State media giant China Media Group (CMG), in collaboration with the Esports World Cup Foundation and tournament organizer VSPO, has announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the esports industry in China. 

This alliance was formalized with the inauguration of the National Institute for Esports Development in Beijing, based on a report from Esports Insider.

Boosting China’s Esports Industry

The newly established institute is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing China’s esports infrastructure. It aims to foster industry collaboration, promote international communication, and explore innovative cultural promotion methods. The launch event was attended by prominent government figures, including Shen Haixiong, President of CMG and Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Sun Shuo, CPC Secretary of Xicheng District.

This partnership marks the continuation of a successful collaboration between VSPO and the Esports World Cup Foundation, both of which have previously worked together on the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The partnership is further bolstered by substantial investments from Saudi Arabian entities, with VSPO receiving a US$265 million investment from Savvy Games Group and the Esports World Cup Foundation being backed by the Saudi Arabian government.

Coinciding Announcements

The announcement coincided with the International Olympic Committee’s declaration of a partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

VSPO Chairman Dino Ying expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership.

“It’s a huge honour to be a strategic partner with China Media Group and the Esports World Cup Foundation. The establishment of the CMG National Institute for Esports Development marks another key sign of Beijing’s support for esports development,” Ying told Esports Insider.

The Esports World Cup, which features a $60 million prize pool, comprises 22 tournaments over two months. Despite its scale, the event has faced criticism within the esports community due to Saudi Arabia’s involvement, given the country’s human rights record.

Founded in 2016, VSPO stands as the largest esports operator in Asia. With a global presence spanning 14 offices, the company organizes competitions across multiple titles, including Honor of Kings and Peacekeeper Elite (PUBG Mobile). VSPO was also a partner for the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore last year and managed the esports tournaments at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The strategic partnership between CMG, the Esports World Cup Foundation, and VSPO signals a significant step forward in the development and international collaboration of the esports industry in China.