The Esports Championships Asia 2026 (ECA 2026) officially began on the 25th at the Jinju Indoor Gymnasium.
The opening ceremony, hosted by caster Jeon Yong-jun and announcer Jin Se-min, was graced by the presence of 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. They all gathered to mark the successful beginning of the event.
MCST Culture and Media Industry Office Director Kim Jae-hyun expressed, “Esports has evolved beyond just gaming to become a vibrant cultural phenomenon enjoyed globally and a recognized sport. This tournament, held before the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, is set to be a significant preview for Asian nations to assess their competitiveness in esports.
The South Korean government is actively nurturing esports as a key industry representing K-content and a future growth driver led by the younger generation. We are committed to expanding local esports infrastructure, such as the newly established esports arena in Jinju, and providing unwavering support to build an esports ecosystem that grows alongside local communities.
KeSPA President Kim Young-man remarked, “I am thrilled to host ECA 2026 in Jinju, featuring top athletes from seven Asian countries. I extend my gratitude to the officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the City of Jinju for their contributions to the success of this event.
Esports has emerged as a potent form of entertainment that transcends language and nationality barriers. This tournament will showcase a variety of popular titles from across Asia, demonstrating the new synergy through esports in the digital era. This year’s event will serve as a prelude to the Asian Games, offering nations a platform to test their skills and facilitating 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 testing ground ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September. Approximately 150 athletes and officials will engage in friendly competition at ECA 2026, which can be watched on Disney+, SOOP, and the KeSPA YouTube channel.
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