Chongqing - On January 4, construction crews were working at full speed in Bishan District, Chongqing, on what will soon become the largest purpose-built esports venue in southwest China. The arena is scheduled for completion around the Spring Festival.

The new facility is being built specifically for the Chongqing Wolves, one of China’s leading professional esports teams. Once operational, it is expected to inject new momentum into both Bishan District and Chongqing’s wider esports ecosystem.

The project marks the latest chapter in a longer story that began in December 2023, when the Wolves officially returned to Chongqing and established their home base in Bishan. Since then, the city has been exploring how the growing popularity of esports can be translated into tangible economic and cultural gains.

The Wolves' new esports arena. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

A Championship Club's Growing Brand

In December, Forbes China named Wolves eSports Club its "Outstanding Esports Club of the Year," an accolade that carries significant weight both domestically and internationally. The award evaluates not only competitive results but also sustained profitability, global brand influence and contributions to regional economic development.

The recognition underscores the Wolves' position not just as a competitive powerhouse, but as a leading asset in the esports industry with strong commercial and social value.

Behind the brand is performance. In 2025, the Chongqing Wolves recorded a string of high-profile results across multiple esports titles, including championship runs, podium finishes and record-setting performances at home and abroad, underscoring the club’s position at the top tier of China’s esports landscape.

Each trophy, observers note, has strengthened Chongqing's visibility in the digital sports arena. As the Wolves’ competitive success grows, so too does the city's influence within China’s esports industry.

The relationship has proven mutually reinforcing. Globally, iconic sports teams are often inseparable from their home cities. Just as the Lakers symbolize Los Angeles and Liverpool FC reflects the spirit of Merseyside, the Chongqing Wolves are increasingly seen as an emblem of the city’s resilience, ambition and openness.

From Event Traffic to Economic Value

Over the past year, the Wolves' presence has generated measurable economic impact. In 2025 alone, Bishan hosted 23 professional KPL Spring and Summer League matches. The Wolves' home venue also hosted major events, including the QQ Speed S-League Spring Finals and the DOTA1 National Finals.

The high frequency and diversity of events translated into strong offline attendance. In 2025, the Wolves' home matches sold more than 35,000 tickets, with average seat occupancy exceeding 95 percent. Total on-site attendance reached nearly 38,000, helping position Bishan as a rising hub for youth-oriented consumption in southwest China.

The economic spillover extended beyond the arenas. Around 60 percent of attendees came from outside Chongqing, driving demand for local dining, accommodation, transport and retail. Preliminary estimates show that Wolves-related events directly or indirectly generated more than 40 million yuan (about 5.6 million USD) in surrounding consumption in 2025.

Chongqing Wolves' championship-winning moment. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Online, the impact has been amplified even further. By the end of 2025, the Wolves' global fan base approached 27 million, with cumulative exposure across its social media accounts exceeding 2 billion views. Topics related to the team entered trending lists more than 170 times, each appearance further boosting Chongqing’s visibility among younger audiences nationwide.

Short-form video content has also played a role. Through original series highlighting Bishan cuisine or collaborations with local attractions, the Wolves have helped turn digital attention into real-world spending.

A New Cultural Landmark Takes Shape

The upcoming esports arena marks a significant upgrade in Chongqing's cultural infrastructure. Designed to seat more than 2,000 spectators, it will be among the largest and most advanced esports venues in the country and the largest of its kind in southwest China.

Unlike traditional sports stadiums or theaters, the facility has been purpose-built to meet top-tier esports competition standards. It will not only serve as the Wolves' home venue for home matches but also position Chongqing to host international events, including potential qualifying rounds of the Esports World Cup.

Crucially, the venue is envisioned as more than a competition space. According to team representatives, it has been designed as a flexible, multi-purpose cultural landmark capable of hosting concerts, product launches and public events.

China currently lacks mid-sized performance venues in the 2,000-seat range, which are larger than live houses but more intimate than stadiums. The new arena is expected to fill that gap, attracting student audiences and young consumers while supporting a stable, year-round consumption ecosystem.

When completed, the venue is set to evolve into a digital cultural complex integrating competition, exhibitions, performances, education and tourism — a space where esports intersects with urban life.

As the Wolves continue to grow in Chongqing, their journey mirrors the city's broader push to embrace digital sports and strengthen its cultural attraction. With strong attendance, industry recognition and expanding infrastructure, Chongqing is positioning itself to compete — and endure — in the digital era's new arenas.