Tournament pushes esports to forefront

As the lights dimmed at the Jing'an Sports Center on Sunday evening, applause and cheers surged, refusing to fade for nearly five minutes after the curtain fell on the 2025 Shanghai Esports Masters. A banner reading "We Will Sing the Victory Song Again" stood out in the afterglow.

Co-hosted by the Shanghai Administration of Sports and the Jing'an district government, the event set a five-year benchmark with over 12 million cumulative views across nine livestreaming platforms, 500 million-plus views of related Douyin clips, and premium tickets that sold out within seconds.

Held from Dec 3 to 7, the tournament featured four carefully selected events — Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Valorant, Overwatch, and Identity V — drawing nearly 100 top players from around the world.

Among the standout performers was Qu Donghao (game ID: Life), a Valorant player from Team FPX. His steady performance showcased the skills that define China's new generation of professional esports athletes.

"I was stunned walking into the venue — it's far larger than I imagined," Qu said. The flashback was immediate: the moment he and his team defeated powerhouse FUT at last year's Shanghai Masters remained vivid in his memory.

"What moved me wasn't the victory, but the home crowd cheering after we won — everyone waving sticks and shouting under the lights," Qu, the former grassroots streamer-turned-pro, said. "That sense of belonging was overwhelming."

The venue's charged atmosphere and passion shattered the long-standing myth that "esports is not a proper job". When asked about the lingering skepticism, Qu answered without hesitation.

"Many industries faced doubt before being recognized, and esports is no different," Qu said. "Time will prove it's a legitimate career — and I've worked hard for it, so I believe in it."

His transition from grassroots gamer to pro was tough. Though he had a stable livestreaming income, he left his comfort zone to pursue competitive play, initially without earning a salary, until Valorant obtained its domestic license.

"Two moments stand out," Qu recalled. "One was when the domestic license finally came through — it gave us a long-awaited chance to prove esports' legitimacy. The other was during the early AIC days, when the league was still unregulated. My teammates and I worked together like a close-knit family to reach our goals, and that experience touched me deeply."

This resolve fueled his over 15 hours of daily training early on. While peers enjoyed campus life, his days were filled with practice, reviews, and tactical discussions. Today, he trains more scientifically — 12 to 14 hours a day — making room for sleep, eye care and weekly workouts to avoid burnout.

Qu's growth is rooted in Shanghai's thriving esports ecosystem. According to the 2025 Shanghai esports industry development report released at the Shanghai-hosted Global Esports Games in August, the city's revenue from esports competitions hit 508 million yuan ($71.7 million) in the first six months of the year, up 1.69 percent year-on-year — accounting for almost half of the country's total.

"Esports has grown from a niche hobby to a 100-billion-yuan industry — a key part of the digital economy carrying the dreams of youth," Zhu Qinqin, secretary-general of the Shanghai Esports Association, said.

Such robust industry support was fully reflected in this year's Masters Tournament.

"Of the over 10 events applied, we selected only four to ensure quality," Zhu said, highlighting Shanghai-based Moonton's MLBB. As a new 2026 Asian Games esports event, it gained strong attention in its Masters debut, underscoring the tournament's role in promoting emerging competitive titles.

On-field results, such as Guangzhou's GZG staging a thrilling 2-1 comeback against ASEAN champion YBG to claim its first MLBB title on Dec 3, have further validated the industry's progress.

"This Shanghai win gives us unshakable confidence for the World Championship," the team exclaimed post-match.

International presence also elevated the event. Mongolia's The MongolZ player Shenlynn praised the Shanghai venue as "one of the best I've played at", and voiced his ambition to represent his country at the Asian Games.

Building on this expanded recognition, Zhu announced plans to upgrade the 2026 tournament.

"We'll extend the schedule to cover primetime and invite top teams with their full rosters. We want to make it a world-class esports showcase," Zhu said.

Amid these positive developments, Qu's reflections captured the spirit of the new generation. "I want no regrets, and I value process over results," Qu said. "As long as I've tried my best, that's enough."

His words resonate with many young esports athletes, who — nurtured by a supportive ecosystem — are redefining esports as a respected profession through perseverance and professionalism.