E-Sports Debuts as a Medal Sport at 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou
The 19th Asian Games, scheduled to run from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China, has made history by including E-sports (online gaming) as an official event for the first time. This landmark decision will see seven gold medals awarded across seven gaming titles, cementing E-sports’ growing global recognition and popularity.
15 Days of Intense Competition
The Hangzhou Asian Games will span 15 days and feature a total of 481 gold medals, with seven dedicated to E-sports. An impressive 45 countries have registered for the Asian Games 2023, and among them, 31 countries and regions will participate in E-sports. Over 500 E-sports athletes will vie for gold medals at the state-of-the-art Hangzhou Esports Center.
The Futuristic Hangzhou Esports Center
Completed in 2022, the Hangzhou Esports Center covers an expansive 80,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators. Designed specifically for Asian Games Esports events, its futuristic appearance resembles a sci-fi spaceship when viewed from above.
The Lineup of E-sports Titles
The E-sports lineup at the 19th Asian Games includes popular titles such as League of Legends, DOTA 2, Honor of Kings (also known as Arena of Valor), PUBG, FIFA Online 4, Street Fighter V, and Dream Three Kingdoms 2.
A Delayed Debut
Originally scheduled for 2022, the event faced delays due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has been selected as the official Esports gaming phone provider for the Hangzhou event, meaning that all international contestants will use iQOO flagship phones.
The inclusion of E-sports as a medal event at the 19th Asian Games marks a significant milestone for this rapidly growing form of competitive gaming, bringing it to a global stage with the potential to captivate audiences worldwide.
