Video game records are set through a myriad of ways, from sales, concurrent players, longest gameplay, high scores, largest collection, and so on, and Tencent’s Honor of Kings MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) has just marked a new one, with a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance in a single esports match.
It’s truly a title fit for a king, considering that the decade-old game, which grossed US$2.6 million globally in 2024, was recently crowned the highest-grossing mobile game in the world as well.
The weekend of 8 November marked the Honor of Kings King Pro League (KPL) 2025 Grand Finals, held at Beijing’s iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium, which was transformed into a coliseum of lights and robust energy as 62,196 fans helped the game set a new Guinness World Record for the largest attendance in a single esports match. The crowd roared as two of China’s most celebrated singers, Zhou Shen (周深) and Han Hong (韩红), took the stage, with the latter performing the KPL 2025 theme song “神驰的属地” to the arena.
Originally released in 2015, the TiMi Studio title started as a China-only title before the fantasy mobile game, which borrows heavily from Chinese history, mythology, and traditional culture, took off overseas under the title Honor of Kings, where it has been launched in several key markets, including North America and Brazil. And while MOBA games have faced perceptions of being less prestigious than their PC esports counterparts, the KPL Grand Finals are now making their mark on the global stage with this record. Every warm seat in the 80,000-seater event space is a testament to the cultural and competitive power of the game.
The best-of-seven showdown featured the two finalist teams – AG Super Play and Wolves – two of the most disciplined and skilled Honor of Kings teams in China. From the opening game, Wolves pressed aggressively, securing early kills and controlling the map. Meanwhile, AG struggled initially by falling behind in kills and territory, and having their base almost wiped out by their opponent, but ultimately, their resilience shone through. By the eighteenth minute of Game One, AG turned the tide around with an impressive display of skill and defence, capturing the crucial lord and clinching the first victory in a match that set the tone for the evening.
Games Two through Five were a rollercoaster of momentum as Wolves’ aggressive early game strategies repeatedly tested AG’s composure, while AG demonstrated calmness and strategic adaptability. Fans witnessed spectacular plays, ambushes, and nail-biting close calls.
In Game Six, the tension peaked as AG’s jungler Zhong Yi / Zoe (钟意), well-known for being the top jungler in Honor of Kings, selected his 100 per cent win-rate hero Augran (大司命), a choice reflecting confidence and trust in his own mastery, while Wolves countered with a similar strategy. Their roamer Yi Sheng / One (一 笙) picked DongHuang (东皇太一), also the players’ 100 per cent win-rate hero. Naturally, the crowd went wild over the selection of heroes, as one would have to lose their perfect hero win rate to the other at the end of the game.
Ultimately, AG emerged victorious in a 4–2 victory to claim the championship and the top prize of ¥20,000,000 (S$3,600,000), part of a ¥70,000,000 (S$12,800,000) prize pool, with YINUO (一诺) delivering an MVP-worthy performance to earn the FMVP (Finals’ Most Valuable Player) title.
Beyond the competition, we were provided a glimpse into the meticulous preparation behind one of these elite Honor of Kings teams. Players from JDG, such as NoFear and Rong, underwent rigorous professional training, with selection processes spanning multiple phases. Rituals and preparation range from something as simple as warming up hands to a more tedious reviewing and analysing opponent footage. In JDG’s Home City, a specially made training program is made for their players to test their reflex, speed, awareness, and memory, highlighting the discipline and precision required at the highest level.
JDG’s team manager emphasised the qualities they seek in players – expertise, willingness to learn, strong communication, and an unwavering desire to win. This trait can be seen in various players across different teams.
The scale and ambition of the Honor of Kings extend far beyond China. Deputy CEO and COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, Mike McGabe, described the KPL as unique, both locally and globally, citing its diverse fandom. To them, it was incredibly important to include Honor of Kings in their list of games in EWC (Esports World Cup), and it was an easy decision, seeing how big this game is. Chief Games Officer Fabian Scheuermann noted that the growth and support for KPL clubs in China serve as a benchmark, which they hope international teams can strive for similar stability.
Tencent’s global esports vision continues to shape these milestones. Global Esports Senior Director James Yang stressed that Honor of Kings is not about exporting a copy of the KPL, but about sharing its DNA with teams worldwide. Partnerships, mentorship programs, and international competitions help close the gap between Chinese players and the global community.
Despite Malaysia being praised as the up-and-coming country with the most potential to beat a Chinese team by Yang, Team NOVA Esports Director Tsai “Rainer” Cheng-Bang highlighted the steep learning curve. The Malaysian market’s only advantage is that it plays 王者荣耀 (China’s version of Honor of Kings), which gives them a slight edge because of its advanced server with more features, content, and a more developed player base over regional competitors like the Philippines and Indonesia, who rely on the global version. Navigating the Chinese ranking system requires creating accounts under a Chinese IP address, a hurdle that underscores the challenge of bridging regional skill gaps.
That doesn’t stop Honor of Kings from constantly pouring in effort to diversify. This year’s Women’s Open tournament in Malaysia is a prime example, providing a platform for female competitors to showcase their skills and gain international exposure. Initiatives like this not only highlight the growing presence of women in esports but also signal the game’s commitment to cultivating talent across all demographics.
The KPL 2025 Grand Finals not only crowned AG as champions but also reaffirmed the magnitude of the impact mobile esports has made on a global scale. With a record-breaking attendance, the grand finals reinforced the message that Honor of Kings is a cultural phenomenon.
Living multiple lives, Debbi is a singer-songwriter and music coach by day, FPS gamer and variety streamer by night. Let’s not forget being a full-time dog mom to her Cavapoo, Buddy. With life like this, who needs a multiverse?
Yonk
Kevin Low
