Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile reveal 3-year tie-up with Esports World Cup Foundation

Level Infinite, a Tencent-owned publisher for PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings, has entered into a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation, backed by the Saudi government. This collaboration aims to propel the esports ecosystems of PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings to greater heights.

“At the Esports World Cup Foundation, one of our core missions is to build a sustainable global esports infrastructure so fans can enjoy our sport for generations to come. Our partnership with Level Infinite directly supports that mission, adding two of the most-played games to the Esports World Cup program for players and fans across the globe,” said Ralf Reichert, the CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.

Level Infinite x Esports World Cup Foundation: What to Expect

The partnership between Level Infinite and the Esports World Cup Foundation is groundbreaking. The Esports World Cup Foundation, which is hosting the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this summer, has traditionally only announced individual partnerships with game publishers for their events. This long-term partnership marks a significant shift for the Saudi government-backed foundation.

Level Infinite and Tencent have been key players in Saudi Arabia’s esports initiatives, starting with the Gamers8 Festival in 2022 where PUBG Mobile hosted its mid-year World Invitational. The festival has now been rebranded as the Esports World Cup, with major changes to the upcoming events.

The PUBG Mobile mid-year tournament will now be known as the PUBG Mobile World Cup, featuring a $3 million prize pool in the 2024 edition held in Riyadh during the Esports World Cup. Additionally, Honor of Kings will host a $3 million Midseason Invitational with 12 international teams, with top teams qualifying for the year-end Invitational Championship.

Over 1,000 Esports Events Planned

Image Credits: Level Infinite and the Esports World Cup Foundation

The partnership will see more than 1,000 esports events hosted globally for both games in 2024. While details on the nature of these events are scarce, players can expect increased opportunities at all skill levels. This move is particularly important as Tencent has limited the PUBG Mobile esports ecosystem, making grassroots-level competitions crucial for player development.

With Honor of Kings set for a global release in 2024, focusing on player-centric esports tournaments becomes vital. While a $15 million investment was previously announced for global tournaments, Level Infinite and the Esports World Cup Foundation are now positioned to create more avenues for players to showcase their skills.