Chongqing - From August 20 to 24, Chongqing hosted an extraordinary celebration of gaming, culture, and competition: the 2025 VALORANT Carnival. The event dazzled attendees with cutting-edge technology, competitive brilliance, and immersive cultural experiences, firmly highlighting China's expanding role in the global esports arena.

During the carnival, the night sky was illuminated by a stunning display of 5,000 drones, forming dynamic visuals tied to Valorant's lore and Chongqing's iconic landscape. Meanwhile, the Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street was transformed into a sprawling esports theme park, packed with interactive installations, fan zones, and local cultural exhibits.

The drone show during the 2025 VALORANT Carnival. (Photo/The Organizer)

At the heart of the carnival was the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) CN League Stage 2 Playoffs, where China's top teams competed for a coveted spot in the Paris Global Champions Tour. The matches drew enormous crowds, with enthusiasts traveling from across the nation to witness high-stakes gameplay and cheer for their favorite pros.

The VALORANT show match. (Photo/Deng Nan)

The event underscored broader industry trends. In the first half of 2025, China's esports revenue reached 12.7 billion RMB (approx. $1.77 billion USD), with a stable user base of 493 million people—dominated by the 21 to 30-year-old demographic.

VALORANT merchandise. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Cosplayers like Yuwan, a visitor from Shandong, embodied the spirit of the event. Dressing as Jett—the agile duelist who can fly and wield multiple small knives in her ultimate ability—she exemplified the player passion at the core of the Valorant community.

Yuwan, a cosplayer from Shandong, is dressed as Jett. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports at Riot Games, emphasized the philosophy behind the event: “We try to create an experience that goes beyond the game. It's the game, the sport, the community, and the culture of Valorant.” He added that Chongqing's unique energy made it a perfect host, describing the city as “everything we expected.”

Leo Faria, Global Head of VALORANT Esports at Riot Games, is taking selfies. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Globally, Chinese influence continues to grow. Among the world's top 40 esports clubs, China now holds 7 spots, surpassing North America for the first time. The rise of emerging markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East is further accelerating Asia's—and particularly China's—voice in esports.

The Guanyinqiao Pedestrian Street was transformed into a sprawling esports theme park. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Faria also spoke to China's rapid ascent in the competitive scene. “China has caught up with the rest of the world incredibly fast… No one expected China to win the global championship in their first year.” He cited Edward Gaming's recent world title win and the star power of players like Kangkang as pivotal in putting China on the map.

Hair braiding and styling experience. (Photo/Deng Nan)

Now excitement is building for the VALORANT Champions Tour to make its Chinese debut next year in Shanghai. As for the 2025 Chongqing Carnival, it will be remembered not only for its thrilling matches and technological marvels but also for seamlessly blending esports with profound cultural storytelling.

ISO, a character from VALORANT, is portrayed as a mysterious assassin from Chongqing, China. (Photo/Deng Nan)