Core Insights - The report from the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association indicates that the revenue of China's esports industry reached 12.761 billion yuan in the first half of the year, marking a year-on-year growth of 6.1% [1][2] - Shanghai continues to lead the nation in hosting esports events and has the highest number of esports clubs, reinforcing its status as the "global esports capital" [1][3] Revenue Composition - The revenue composition shows that 80.38% comes from live streaming, while events, clubs, and other sources account for a combined 19.62% [2] User Base and Market Dynamics - As of June this year, the number of esports users in China is approximately 493 million, reflecting a slight year-on-year increase of 0.59% [3] - The number of competitive events held in the first half of the year remained stable compared to the same period last year, indicating that the revenue growth is primarily driven by deeper market penetration rather than an increase in new users [3] Event Hosting Trends - In terms of event hosting formats, 51% of events were held entirely offline, 41% were hybrid (both online and offline), and only 8% were held online [7] - The esports industry is seen as a new engine for urban renewal, cultural innovation, and tourism consumption [7] Economic Impact of Events - The 2024 "Counter-Strike" World Championship hosted by Perfect World sold nearly 90,000 tickets, with 88% of attendees coming from outside Shanghai, generating an additional 370 million yuan in local consumption [7] - The event attracted around 700 overseas players and personnel, with live viewership reaching 2.3 billion [7] Global Esports Landscape - The global esports industry is also experiencing growth, with North America being the most mature market and regions like South America emerging as new hotspots for esports events [8][9] - China's esports companies are expanding into overseas markets, particularly in Latin America, with peak viewership for self-developed esports events exceeding 4.13 million [9] International Influence and Challenges - Major esports companies are exploring ways to enhance their international influence by offering high prize pools and establishing international standards [12] - The esports industry is at a critical juncture, transitioning from subculture to mainstream sports, facing challenges such as the lack of integration with traditional sports systems and the absence of unified global standards [12] Shanghai's Role in Esports - Shanghai is set to host another top-tier event, the 2026 "Valorant" Global Championship, following the success of previous major tournaments [13] - The city has developed a mature event operation system and top-notch facilities, making it a prime location for esports events [13][14] Future Developments in Shanghai - The Jing'an District in Shanghai is focusing on creating an esports theme park and has signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with various associations to enhance the esports ecosystem [14][15] - The district aims to attract global resources, introduce international events, and explore innovative applications of AI in esports content creation and dissemination [14][15]