China: A Powerhouse with Global Ambitions and International Rivalries

China is the most represented country at the 2025 Esports World Cup with over 150 individual players across 16 games. While China has long been a dominant force in some titles, it’s also a rising contender in others. It seems like only a matter of time until China’s estimated 668 million gamers propel the country to even greater esports dominance.

China has often been ahead of the curve when it comes to esports. The country officially recognized esports as an official sport in 2003. Esports players and operators are recognized as official occupations, and esports have been included in the Asian Games, the second-largest multi-sport event in the world, after the Olympics.

Chinese teams have positioned themselves for success at the 2025 Esports World Cup, but organizations like AG.AL still face major hurdles if they hope to etch their names into esports history. Clubs will need to win one competition in order to claim first place in the Club Championship, and no Chinese team in contention has finished first yet. VK Gaming, the Chinese team that took home the trophy in the ALGS: 2025 Midseason Playoffs, will not qualify for the Club Championship as the organization is not competing in any other tournaments.

China’s esports legacy

China is active in more games than ever at EWC, but this is far from the first time the country has competed on the biggest stage. The giant has long been a major player in titles like League of Legends and Dota 2.

In Dota 2, there was a time when European and North American teams effectively took turns with China for who would lift the Aegis each year. Unfortunately, after 2021, much of the Chinese pro scene struggled to replicate its past success. That year saw a mass exodus of Chinese players from Chinese servers due to widespread match rigging in high-rank Immortal games. However, the past 12 months have been positive for Chinese Dota. High-rank players returned en masse in late 2024, and tournaments like the Immortal Cup have sparked a revival, signaling that Dota 2 is on the rise once again in China.

Conversely, China was a slow starter in League of Legends but is now one of the game’s top regions. After early success in 2013 and 2014 with Royal Club, it wasn’t until 2018 that the modern era of the LPL’s consistently strong international performances began, with teams regularly defeating Korean sides.

Overall, Chinese teams have won three of the 14 League of Legends World Championships and three of the 13 editions of The International. They’ve also finished as runners-up several times, including occasions when both grand finalists were Chinese teams.

International rivalries

The rivalry between China and South Korea in esports is one of the most intense and storied in the industry. Both countries have long been dominant forces, especially in games like League of Legends and Honor of Kings. South Korea is often credited with pioneering professional esports through titles like StarCraft, producing legendary players such as Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, and building the rigorous training systems that create champions. China, meanwhile, has rapidly grown into a global powerhouse thanks to massive investments, large-scale talent development, and a vast potential fan base.

A broader East vs. West dynamic has also emerged within esports. We've seen this before in Dota 2, and more recently at the Esports World Cup, where Chinese-led squad VK Gaming secured victory in the ALGS: 2025 Midseason Playoffs over several Western teams considered the favorites.

A race between China and Saudi Arabia

A budding rivalry between China and Saudi Arabia has also begun to bloom as both entities fight for influence over the global esports landscape. Both countries have made major investments in gaming and esports, with new publishers and innovations emerging from each market. And while Team Falcons, representing Saudi Arabia, claimed victory at the 2024 Esports World Cup, Chinese competitors have begun pushing back with strong performances this year.

Chinese Organizations to watch at EWC 25

AG.AL

AG.AL International, a standout in this year’s Club Championship, is leading the charge for all of China. The combination of two organizations, All Gamers and Anyone's Legend, has reached the finals in both League of Legends at EWC 25 and Free Fire at EWC 25, and currently sits in fourth place in the overall standings. The competitive organization is well-positioned for a strong finish.

AG.AL will also compete in Call of Duty: Warzone at EWC 25, PUBG BATTLEGROUNDS at EWC 25, and OWCS: MidSeason Championship at EWC 25 later this summer. The organization will need to score one first place finish in one of those tournaments if they hope to take home first place in the Club Championship.

KuaiShou Gaming

Zeng "Xiao Hai" Zhuojun took second place in FATAL FURY: COTW at EWC 25. The organization will also compete in Street Fighter 6 at EWC 25 later in the tournament.

Wolves Esports

A partnership with English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves Esports finished highly in the Apex Legends Global Series: 2025 Midseason Playoffs and look poised to contend in TEKKEN 8 at EWC 25 and Teamfight Tactics at EWC 25.

Weibo Gaming

This Chinese organization is competing across seven titles at the 2025 Esports World Cup. Squads representing the organization did not score points in StarCraft 2 at EWC 25 or FATAL FURY at EWC 25, but plenty of chances to move up the leaderboard remain with Teamfight Tactics at EWC 25, Street Fighter 6 at EWC 25 and several other tournaments.

With hundreds of matches set to take place over the next few days, new legends will rise as champions are crowned and rivals are toppled. Watch the Esports World Cup 2025 live or check out the ticket options to watch in-person this week!