Beijing esports festival signs deals on policy, hotel, finance

The 2026 Beijing West Esports Festival opened Oct. 24 at the Shougang International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Shijingshan District. The opening ceremony included agreements involving the district government, a cultural tourism company, a bank and esports businesses.

Shijingshan District signed a three-year strategic cooperation agreement with the China Audio-Visual and Digital Publishing Association. The agreement covers policy coordination, industry resource sharing and publishing-related support for gaming companies.

Jing Shi Cultural Tourism Company, a state-backed operator, signed an agreement with Dragon Ranger Gaming (DRG) Esports Club to develop an esports-themed hotel complex. The project will link local tourism assets with professional esports and gaming intellectual property.

China Construction Bank’s Shijingshan Branch signed a financial cooperation agreement with gaming media company Gcores. The agreement will provide banking services and financing channels for gaming and esports businesses.

The festival also launched the Games Groove Gala at Wasi LiveHouse. The project combines video game brands, live music and nighttime consumer activities. Its main exhibition, organized with Gcores’ Nuclear Fusion Game Carnival, featured more than 80 exhibitors and nearly 200 game titles.

The agreements are part of Shijingshan District’s plan to develop an esports industry cluster in and around Shougang Park. The district has 135 companies involved in game development, publishing, tournament operations and livestreaming.

Figures cited at the festival put the cluster’s direct annual industry revenue at more than 24.81 billion yuan ($3.72 billion). Shijingshan’s wider cultural industry was valued at 192.08 billion yuan ($28.76 billion).

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