China Pursues Football Glory Through eSports Revolution

Zhao Yitang, a recent graduate, achieved a long-held dream this summer by representing China in football—though not on a traditional pitch, but as a player in eSports. As global interest in football eSports surges, China is positioning itself for success in this virtual arena, especially following years of challenges in real-world football. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced plans to establish a national eSports football team, igniting ambitions among aspiring players like Zhao.

This year, Zhao finished second at the “eFootball” championship in Tokyo, marking the best international performance for China in the game previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer. The CFA’s new team is expected to compete in events organized by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, further solidifying China’s commitment to eSports.

Despite the vast popularity of football in China, the country’s real-life football scene has been marred by match-fixing and corruption issues. President Xi Jinping has expressed aspirations for China to host and even win the World Cup. Unfortunately, the men’s national team is currently ranked 93rd in FIFA’s standings and has once again failed to qualify for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. In this context, eSports presents a potential avenue for national pride and achievement.

Although China boasts one of the largest gaming markets globally, football eSports has not yet reached the same financial heights as other competitive gaming titles. Players in popular games like “League of Legends” or “Dota 2” often earn substantial prize money and lucrative sponsorships. In contrast, those excelling in football eSports find it challenging to sustain a living.

Former professional eSports football player, known as Monaco, highlighted the financial constraints, stating, “The prize money is too little. It’s difficult to make a living playing professionally, full-time.” He noted that even a top player could expect to earn only around 70,000 RMB (approximately $9,800) annually before taxes, with regular salaries being virtually nonexistent. Pan Shuyin, manager of the eSports division at Changchun Yatai, a club in the Chinese Super League, remarked, “Probably only 10 people in all of China can make a living out of playing” football eSports.

Changchun Yatai aims to differentiate itself by investing in eSports, a rarity in the Chinese Super League. Many clubs have disbanded their eSports teams due to perceived financial losses. Pan noted that the commercial viability of football eSports is hindered by the higher skill level required, as players must possess a solid understanding of real-life football dynamics.

Although Chinese teams have participated in football eSports tournaments globally, they will not be represented at the forthcoming FIFAe World Cup, scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia. In contrast, football eSports is gaining traction worldwide, underscored by the establishment of the ePremier League in 2018 and its inclusion as an official medal event at the 2023 Asian Games.

Zhao, affectionately known as “Ding” or “Teacher Ding” within the football eSports community, discovered football video games in 2018 as a way to relax between classes and training sessions. He explained, “If you watch a lot of real-life football matches or play a lot of real-life football, you will have your own understanding” of how to excel in eSports.

As China continues to navigate its challenges in real-life football, the emergence of eSports offers a new frontier for success and national pride. With the establishment of a national team and investments from clubs like Changchun Yatai, the hopes of players like Zhao could soon be realized on a global scale, marking a new chapter in China’s football journey.