# From Shanghai to Chengdu: China Is Becoming the Epicenter of Esports

> From the Dota 2 International in Shanghai to the Honor of Kings Pro League finals, China is increasingly the epicenter of global esports. As TI 2026 nears, overseas teams are deepening their ties with the Chinese esports community.

- Source: Times of China (Times of China)
- Canonical URL: https://timesofchina.cn.com/en/article/china-epicenter-of-esports-ti-honor-of-kings
- Chinese edition: https://timesofchina.cn.com/article/china-epicenter-of-esports-ti-honor-of-kings
- Author: 中国时报编辑部
- Section: Sport
- Published: 2026-08-17T12:00:00+08:00
- Updated: 2026-08-17T12:00:00+08:00
- Tags: 电子竞技, TI, DOTA2, 王者荣耀, 上海

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From the Dota 2 International (TI) held in Shanghai to the grand finals of the Honor of Kings Pro League, China is increasingly the epicenter of global esports. As TI 2026 approaches in Shanghai, more and more overseas teams are deepening their ties with the Chinese esports community.

## Shanghai's passion

For many overseas players and industry figures, Shanghai is where they first encountered Chinese esports. In 2019, TI was held in the city, and OG Esports successfully defended its title there, becoming the first team in TI history to do so. Xavier Descharmes, chief marketing officer of OG Esports, recalled the impact of his first visit to Shanghai, saying he was speechless for a good 30 seconds because of the passion that embraced him.

Notably, the team OG beat at that tournament was one that local fans had pinned high hopes on. Yet the result did not push OG away from Chinese fans; instead it forged a special emotional connection.

## Putting down roots in China

Today, OG Esports hopes to expand its presence in China and to grow more organically within the local esports community. For the team, TI 2026 returning to Shanghai is both a competition and a reunion. China's vast audience base and mature event operations make it a stage teams around the world want to reach.

## Homegrown strength

The vitality of Chinese esports shows not only in hosting international events but also in the flourishing of homegrown titles. On November 8, 2025, the Honor of Kings team from Chengdu's All Gamers Esports Group won the King Pro League grand finals in Beijing, delivering a moment of glory of their own to countless local fans.

As a form of competition, esports ranges in objective from destroying an opponent's base to eliminating rival players, with tournaments stretching from local to international levels, substantial prize pools and online audiences often numbering in the millions. From Shanghai to Chengdu, from the International to domestic leagues, China is both a major home ground for global esports and a place growing stars and stories of its own.

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Originally published by Times of China. Free to cite with attribution and a link to https://timesofchina.cn.com/en/article/china-epicenter-of-esports-ti-honor-of-kings.