'Honor of Kings' (serviced as 'Honor of Kings' in South Korea) was featured as an official title at the Esports World Cup (EWC) for the third consecutive year. The Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) 2026, which concluded in Paris, France, in August, featured a prize pool of $3 million (approx. 4.07 billion won), where Kuaishou Gaming (KSG) defeated AG.AL 4-3 in the grand final to claim victory. The tournament was also the first international competition where Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor teams faced off using a special version featuring heroes from both titles. Tencent stated that the tournament surpassed 700,000 peak concurrent viewers for the first time in Honor of Kings esports history.

South Korea is currently expanding its presence on the international stage in this title. Nongshim RedForce qualified for the KWC main tournament for the second consecutive year and will represent Korea as the national team at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This year's KWC was also broadcast with Korean commentary.

In an interview, Syndra Feng, Lead Esports Producer for Honor of Kings Global at Tencent Games' TiMi Studio Group, shared her outlook on the Korean market, the background behind introducing the unified version, the skill gap between China and other regions, the challenges following regional league consolidation, and the roadmap for the second half of the year.

Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor teams faced off using a special version featuring heroes from both titles. What was the background behind introducing this, how do you evaluate its actual operation, and will this format continue in the future?

“One of the goals for KWC 2026 was to create a global tournament that brought together top teams from both the Honor of Kings (HOK) and Arena of Valor (AoV) ecosystems. Both titles share the same roots. We saw an opportunity to bring players and fans onto the same stage while honoring the strengths and identities of both communities.

The special tournament version was designed to allow teams from different regions and ecosystems to compete under a single set of rules. As a result, new matchups and strategies emerged, giving fans the chance to see teams face off directly that would otherwise never meet.

It is too early to announce future formats. We plan to continuously evaluate the impact of this year's format after receiving feedback from all stakeholders. However, we are excited about the opportunities that cross-regional and cross-ecosystem competition will create for the long-term growth of Honor of Kings esports.

This year's EWC was held in Paris rather than Riyadh. How did hosting it in Europe actually impact Western expansion? Could you share specific, measurable changes in viewership metrics or on-site responses?

“Europe boasts a diverse gamer community, leading esports organizations, and a maturing ecosystem. Hosting the event in Paris offered an opportunity for Honor of Kings esports to reach new audiences here while gathering the existing international community in a new market.

Beyond the matches themselves, engagement from local fans, creators, teams, and partners continued throughout the tournament. It also succeeded in increasing exposure on the global stage for teams from both established and emerging regions.

It was also encouraging that this tournament surpassed 700,000 peak concurrent viewers for the first time in Honor of Kings esports history. It set a new viewership record for the title, which we see as a sign of growing international interest.

Since joining the EWC, all three championships have gone to Chinese teams. This year's grand final was also an all-Chinese matchup between KSG and AG.AL. As a title advocating for a global ecosystem, how do you view the current competitive balance? Could you explain any measures being prepared to narrow the gap?

“One trend we have observed in recent years is the growing depth and diversity of competition across the ecosystem. While it is true that the KWC 2026 grand final was played between Chinese teams, teams from other regions also displayed strong performances. As the ecosystem expands, we are focused on creating opportunities for more regions to consistently compete at the highest level.

In addition to strengthening regional leagues and expanding pathways to international tournaments, we introduced the 'HOK Global Esports Power-Up Program.' It provides structured training and mentoring for players, along with continuous support for coaches and managers across various professional leagues. Coaches and experts from the King Pro League (KPL) directly participate to increase knowledge sharing and elevate the level of competition, forming a crucial pillar in bridging the gap.

Our priority is to build an environment where talent can emerge from any region to compete on the world stage. We are laying the foundation for competitive diversity through investments in KWC, the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC), and regional programs.

KME, KMW, and WKS were merged into the 'Honor of Kings Major League.' What was the most important criterion when consolidating multiple regional leagues into one? Having completed the first season, what are the key achievements and areas for improvement?

“The consolidation stemmed from our goal to build a stronger and more sustainable competitive ecosystem. Unifying the three leagues broadens the pool of top teams and talent, elevates the overall level of competition, and creates a clearer pathway from regional competitions to the international stage.

Following the first season, we view the improvements in match quality, cross-regional collaboration, and talent development opportunities very positively. At the same time, we received meaningful feedback from teams, players, and fans regarding tournament formats and fan engagement. These are areas we will continue to review as the league evolves. The first season is a milestone, and we will keep refining the competition to deliver a better experience for players, teams, and fans alike.

When entering new regions, in what sequence and proportion do you approach amateur tournaments, creators and influencers, local partners, and recruiting established organizations? We would also like to hear about cases where a different approach was taken due to local circumstances.

“We do not apply a single fixed strategy to every market. Because gaming culture, esports development stages, and existing communities vary by region, we first assess local conditions before deciding where to focus. We adjust the proportion of community building, creator collaborations, local partnerships, and professional tournaments based on the maturity of the market.

In markets where the competitive ecosystem is still forming, we may first focus on grassroots engagement through community activities, amateur tournaments, and creator collaborations. As the ecosystem matures, we work with local partners and esports organizations to strengthen the competitive structure and build pathways from amateur to professional.

In some regions, established esports organizations and local partners accelerate ecosystem development, while in others, creators and grassroots tournaments play a larger role in driving initial engagement. Reading local needs comes before fixed sequencing.

Sustainability is key in publisher-led international circuits. What structures have been designed to allow participating teams to generate revenue beyond prize money? How effective have mechanisms like team-branded in-game items and revenue sharing actually been?

“Our goal is to help teams build lasting relationships with fans and create value beyond tournament performance. Content, community initiatives, sponsorships, and partnerships serve as the means to achieve that.

A specific example is our 'Team-themed Voice Stickers.' We have already collaborated with more than 10 teams to launch them in-game and are preparing new batches involving even more teams. Player response has been positive, and teams gain in-game exposure. Tencent also provides incentives to teams based on sales rankings, creating a mutually beneficial structure.

However, commercial opportunities and contract terms available to teams can vary by market, league, and participating organization. We continue to work with teams and regional partners to identify models suited to each ecosystem, while also evaluating localized content and region-focused fan initiatives as ways to strengthen connections between teams and their communities.

What was the intention behind designing the amateur-to-pro promotion pathway and separate tracks like KWS? Are there plans to establish global standards for player contracts, transfers, and post-retirement career paths?

“The amateur-to-pro pathway was designed to establish a clear road for aspiring players from grassroots competitions all the way to the top level. The Honor of Kings Women's Series (KWS) was created to broaden participation and provide more opportunities for female players to grow in a dedicated competitive environment. Working together, these two pathways allow us to discover talent from a wider range of backgrounds and regions.

In the areas of player welfare, contracts, transfers, and career development, we are working with leagues, teams, and regional partners to spread professional standards and best practices across the ecosystem. While esports regulations vary by region, our long-term goal is to build a transparent and sustainable environment that supports players and industry personnel throughout every stage of their careers.

Tencent: "Honor of Kings Esports to Make Long-Term Investment in Korea"

South Korea did not participate in this title at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, but will send a national team for Honor of Kings at Aichi-Nagoya. How do you view this change?

“Korea's expected participation in Honor of Kings at the Asian Games marks a meaningful milestone in the title's growth within this market. Korea possesses a rich esports heritage and a track record of nurturing world-class competitive talent.

We look forward to seeing Korean players compete against strong teams from across Asia while gaining experience on one of the region's most prestigious sporting stages. We hope their participation elevates interest among Korean players and fans and contributes to the long-term development of the local ecosystem.

What do you think Korean teams and players need most to reach the top tier internationally?

“First, I would like to acknowledge Nongshim RedForce for securing a berth at KWC for two consecutive years. Participating in a tournament of this scale is an achievement in itself, and we highly value their efforts in representing Korea on the international stage.

Their KWC results should be viewed alongside the team's overall progress on the international stage. Nongshim RedForce reached the finals in both Season 3 and Season 4 of the Honor of Kings Invitational. This demonstrates that Korean teams possess the potential to compete at a high level against strong international opponents.

Korea's deep esports culture and talent pipeline serve as the foundation for future growth. We will continue to support these opportunities through international tournaments and the Power-Up Program. Connecting coaches, analysts, and managers with KPL experts and training resources is one key way we do this.

Honor of Kings esports held tournaments in Korea in 2018 before pulling out, and its domestic user base remains relatively modest. Nevertheless, this year's KWC was broadcast on Korean platforms. From an esports perspective, where does Korea rank in terms of priority? Are you considering Korean regional leagues or amateur tournaments?

“Korea is an important market in our long-term vision. It has long exerted influence over the global esports industry and has nurtured world-class players, teams, and industry professionals. We view the growing engagement of the Korean community positively, including rising interest in competitive content and the introduction of Korean commentary for KWC this year.

We are continuously evaluating ways to further support the Korean community, including grassroots and competitive programs. Future plans will be guided by the needs of local players and fans, with the goal of creating tangible pathways for Korean talent to participate and contribute to the global ecosystem.

The second half of the year will see the Asian Games, KIC 2026, and the KWS4 World Championship take place in succession. How have you defined and structured the roles and prestige of each tournament?

“Each tournament serves a distinct role. The Asian Games represent the pinnacle of national team competition, while KIC 2026 in December brings together the top 16 teams worldwide to cap off the club season. KWS4 is a tournament designed to strengthen pathways for female players, with over 36 teams expected to participate. The offline finals and the KWS4 World Championship will take place alongside KIC 2026.

These international events sit atop a broader competitive pathway. Open Series Split 6 offers grassroots teams a route to regional professional leagues, while the Campus Series in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia is expected to involve over 30,000 participants. Five regional leagues will also return for their fall season, ensuring regular opportunities for teams to grow and qualify for global events.

Given that our circuit spans grassroots, regional, women's, national team, and global club competitions, schedule management is critical. We are working with teams and stakeholders to balance tournaments with preparation and recovery time. Details regarding the venue and format for KIC 2026 will be shared at an appropriate time.

Honor of Kings is confirmed as an EWC title through 2027. What do you hope the ecosystem will look like by then, and what metrics will you use to measure success? If there is room for collaboration with Korean game companies or organizations, what form do you envision it taking?

“Our goal is to evolve into a global ecosystem with a solid regional foundation, meaningful international tournaments, and clear growth pathways for players and teams. We do not define success through a single metric. We evaluate regional ecosystem growth and competitiveness, the diversity of teams appearing in global events, viewership engagement, and overall ecosystem sustainability together.

Korea is a market equipped with an established esports ecosystem, a strong talent pool, and an innovative gaming industry environment. We see great opportunities in terms of knowledge exchange and talent development. We are ready to explore initiatives supporting player development, community growth, and competitive opportunities in collaboration with Korean esports clubs, organizations, and industry partners. Our focus is on long-term partnerships that create value for players, fans, and the broader esports ecosystem.