62,000 Honor of Kings fans make history as largest ever audience for an eSports match
The roaring cheers of the audience echoed in the National Stadium in Beijing, China – also known as the Bird’s Nest – this 8 November. Yet the crowd weren’t just spectators of the 2025 Honor of Kings King Professional League (KPL) Grand Finals – they were also witnesses to an unforgettable record-breaking moment. With 62,196 attendees on site in total, the event successfully set a new record achievement for the largest attendance for an eSports match.
As the premier tournament for the Honor of Kings mobile game, the 2025 KPL GrandFinals marked the first time a mobile eSports match was held at Beijing’s National Stadium. This milestone was also a highlight of the 10th anniversary celebrations of Honor of Kings.
Starting on 28 September, 12 teams started competing at this annual tournament, qualified based on both their spring and summer season rankings. Divided into Master and Elite Groups, the teams battled through three intense phases, until finally two groups stood out – Chengdu All Gamers eSports Club and Chongqing Wolves, each clashing for the final trophy.
After a fierce competition, Chengdu All Gamers eSports Club defeated Chongqing Wolves with a score of 4-2, claiming the annual championship. This marks their eighth time achieving the championship trophy, claiming six consecutive wins in the KPL tournament system.
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Offline gaming competitions in China began in 2016, and by 2017, a single match had already drawn over 10,000 audiences – a figure that surpassed 30,000 by 2024. This year was truly exceptional, however, drawing a staggering 62,196 domestic and international attendees, all united under one roof to celebrate a decade of shared passion.
During the mid-break of the finale, Deputy General Manager of Guinness World Records Greater China, Carlos Martinez, and Guinness World Records Adjudicator Luo Qiong, jointly announced that with 62,196 attendees – including stands and floor spectators, VIP guests and the on-site media – the 2025 Honor of Kings KPL Grand Finals had officially broken the record for the largest attendance of an eSports match.
This historic achievement not only marks a new milestone for the esports industry, but also powerfully embodies its relentless spirit of pushing boundaries.