The Esports Championships Asia 2026 (ECA 2026) officially kicked off on the 25th at the Jinju Indoor Gymnasium.

The opening ceremony, hosted by caster Jeon Yong-jun and announcer Jin Se-min, was attended by Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA) President Kim Young-man, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) Culture and Media Industry Office Director Kim Jae-hyun, Jinju Mayor Cho Kwe-il, Gyeongsangnam-do Economic Vice Governor Kim Myung-ju, Gyeongsang National University President Kwon Jin-hoe, and Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council First Vice-Chairman Yoo Gye-hyun, all of whom gathered to celebrate the event's successful launch.

MCST Culture and Media Industry Office Director Kim Jae-hyun stated, "Esports has moved beyond simple gaming to become a dynamic cultural content enjoyed worldwide and a recognized sport. I believe this tournament, held ahead of the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, will serve as a meaningful prelude for Asian nations to gauge their competitive edge in esports.

The South Korean government is actively fostering esports as a core industry representing K-content and a future growth engine led by the younger generation. We will continue to expand regional esports infrastructure, such as the permanent esports arena established here in Jinju, and spare no support in creating an esports ecosystem that grows alongside local communities.

KeSPA President Kim Young-man added, "I am delighted to host ECA 2026 in Jinju with top-tier athletes representing seven Asian countries. I would like to thank the officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the City of Jinju for their help in making this event a success.

Esports is now a powerful form of content that breaks down barriers of language and nationality. In that sense, this tournament will showcase a variety of titles beloved across Asia in one place, proving what new harmony through esports looks like in the digital age. In particular, this year's event will serve as a prelude to the Asian Games, allowing nations to test their skills and providing a venue for the exchange of technology and strategy.

Bringing together national teams from South Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mongolia, this tournament serves as a real-world test stage ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games this September, with approximately 150 athletes and officials participating in friendly competition. ECA 2026 can be viewed via Disney+, SOOP, and the KeSPA YouTube channel.