Culture ministry stages esports finals for 16 regional delegations

The culture ministry said that the national finals of the President's Cup Amateur Esports Competition will bring together delegations from 16 cities and provinces in Gyeongju on Aug. 15 and 16.

The 18th competition will draw about 300 people, including 208 players selected through regional qualifiers, to Gyeongju Indoor Gymnasium in North Gyeongsang Province. The regional qualifiers were held at local venues, including PC cafes and esports stadiums, and online from July 4 to Aug. 2.

The ministry has held the tournament annually since 2009 to promote balanced regional development in esports and provide a base for amateur players' activities. A ministry policy official said that building a stronger regional amateur ecosystem was needed for the esports industry to take a further step forward, adding that the ministry would expand support for region-based esports competitions and policies for balanced regional development.

Competitors will play Eternal Return, Brawl Stars, FC Online, League of Legends and Puyo Puyo eSports. Eternal Return and Brawl Stars will be three-player team events, while League of Legends will use five-player teams. FC Online and Puyo Puyo eSports will be individual events. Matches begin at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15 and run through 8:30 p.m., before resuming at 10 a.m. the next day. An opening ceremony is scheduled for noon on Aug. 15.

The overall winning local government will receive the President's Award, and each title's winning local government will receive the culture minister's award. The ministry will also commend an exemplary local government, while second- and third-place finishers in each title will receive awards from the Korea Creative Content Agency president and the esports association president, respectively.

The ministry will livestream the competition through Naver Chzzk, SOOP and YouTube, and admission to the venue will be free. On-site events will include programs tied to the Gyeongju Water Pool Festival, running Aug. 15-23, and disability esports activities ahead of the fourth National Disability Esports Competition on Aug. 21-23.