Hero Esports Launches the Grand Finals of ACL 2025 in Shanghai: Asia’s Boldest Esports Festival Begins
Shanghai, May 16, 2025 — The much-anticipated HERO ESPORTS Asian Champions League (ACL) Grand Finals 2025 has officially kicked off in Shanghai, bringing together Asia’s top esports talent for a three-day showdown. Hosted by Hero Esports, the event runs from May 16 to 18 across major city venues including SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center, Jing’an Sports Center, and the National Exhibition and Convention Center. With a total prize pool of $2 million and direct qualification routes to the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, the festival marks a major milestone in the Asian esports scene.
A Massive Step for Global Esports
Nine elite titles are part of this grand event: Counter-Strike 2, DotA 2, Honor of Kings, Street Fighter 6, League of Legends Legend Cup, Teamfight Tactics, VALORANT Champions Tour, Delta Force, and CrossFire. Winning teams will not only earn large cash prizes but also secure direct entry into the EWC 2025—the world’s biggest esports event with a record-breaking $70 million prize pool.
Action-Packed Matchups and Star Power
The ACL Grand Finals is filled with thrilling competitions. In Counter-Strike 2, top Chinese teams LVG and TYLOO face off for national glory and an EWC ticket. Dota 2 fans can expect intense action from teams like Xtreme Gaming and Team Tidebound, fighting for $150K in prizes.
Honor of Kings sees fierce matchups between top KPL teams and emerging qualifiers. Meanwhile, the League of Legends Legend Cup S3 will feature a showdown between the “Tigers” and the “Eagles,” representing two regions and play styles, led by iconic players Letme and Bang.
Fighting game fans can enjoy Street Fighter 6 at DreamHack, while Teamfight Tactics brings top strategic minds to compete for the championship. Valorant presents a bounty bracket format with teams like DRX and ZETA aiming for victory. Tactical FPS Delta Force gathers elite teams from China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand, while CrossFire features an eight-team gunfight royale.
Beyond Matches: A True Esports Festival
ACL 2025 isn’t just about competition. Its collaboration with DreamHack brings a full-scale gaming experience with retro arcade zones, live music, celebrity appearances, and indie game showcases. Four major tournaments—Dota 2, TFT, Delta Force, and Street Fighter 6—will be held at the DreamHack arena within the National Exhibition Center.
Global Viewership and Easy Access
Fans worldwide can stream the event live on Twitch, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. Tickets are available via Damai.cn (for China) and the Tongcheng Travel App (for global users). Additional details can be found on the official website:https://esportsacl.com/home.
About Hero Esports
Founded in 2016, Hero Esports is Asia’s largest esports company, producing over 7,000 matches annually for 800 million viewers. With investors like Tencent and Savvy Games Group, and partners such as Kuaishou and Huya, Hero Esports continues to shape the global esports landscape. Their past collaborations include the Olympic Esports Week and Asian Games esports series, making them a leader in professional tournament management and content creation.