China is turning its attention to eSports as it seeks football success, a pursuit that has eluded the country in traditional sports for decades. This summer, gamer Zhao Yitang realized his dream of representing China in football, though not in a stadium, but on his smartphone.
As the global appeal of football eSports continues to escalate, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced its intention to establish a national eSports football team. This initiative has sparked excitement among gamers like Zhao, who expressed his commitment, stating, “If I could join the national team I would go all-out in my efforts for the side.” Recently, the 21-year-old graduate achieved a notable milestone by finishing second in the “eFootball” championship held in Tokyo, marking China”s best performance in the game, previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer.
The CFA has revealed plans for its team to participate in upcoming eSports competitions organized by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation. Despite the growing popularity of eSports in China, the country”s traditional football has faced challenges, including match-fixing scandals and corruption issues. President Xi Jinping has voiced ambitions for China to host and triumph in a World Cup event, yet the men”s national team currently ranks 93rd in FIFA standings and has again missed qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
This shift towards eSports football might finally bring China the glory it has long sought. The nation boasts one of the largest gaming markets globally, with players excelling in various eSports genres. However, the financial rewards in football eSports lag behind those found in more established titles like “League of Legends” or “Dota 2.” Former professional eSports player Monaco highlighted the economic challenges, noting, “The prize money is too little. It”s difficult to make a living playing professionally, full-time.”
Winning every tournament might only yield around 70,000 RMB (approximately $9,800) annually before taxes, with regular salaries being virtually non-existent. In contrast, elite competitors in more prominent eSports can secure seven-figure salaries and lucrative sponsorships. “Probably only 10 people in all of China can make a living out of playing” football eSports, shared Pan Shuyin, manager of the eSports division at the Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai.
Changchun Yatai is making strides to differentiate itself within the league. Pan stated, “We are the only football club in the whole Chinese Super League, maybe even the only football club in China, continuously investing in eSports.” While several clubs have shuttered their eSports teams or are hesitant to establish them due to perceived financial losses, Changchun Yatai is focused on attracting younger fans through this medium.
The upcoming FIFAe World Cup in December in Saudi Arabia will not feature Chinese teams, despite their past participation in global football eSports events. Nevertheless, eSports is making waves worldwide, with the ePremier League commencing in 2018 and football games becoming official medal events at the 2023 Asian Games.
Zhao, who has affectionately earned the nickname “Ding” or “Teacher Ding” among the eSports community, discovered football video games in 2018 as a way to relax between his studies and football training. He believes that a solid foundation in real-life football enhances success in eSports, stating, “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 the gaming realm.
