Being An Audience in KPL Esport Competition

Surprisingly, I’ve been a fan of the King Pro League esports competition for three years. The King Pro League is the official esports tournament for Honor of Kings, a game developed by Tencent Games. To my delight, I managed to get a ticket for the first round, which featured a match between Estar Club and LGD Club. I still remember the day I successfully bought the ticket—feeling both surprised and excited to watch the match live.

The day of the match finally arrived. After getting dressed and styling my hair, I headed to the arena in Hangzhou. I arrived an hour before the match started, wandering around the venue and picking up some fan-made merchandise. About thirty minutes before the official start time, both teams arrived. I caught a glimpse of them walking into the arena, greeted enthusiastically by their fans’ cheers and encouragement.

Once the arena was cleaned after the previous match, the audience was allowed inside. The interior was vast and cool, with a sleek black design illuminated by dynamic lighting that gave the space a mysterious vibe. Taking my seat, I overheard people nearby discussing the day’s match and planning cheers to support the players. Shortly after, the host appeared on stage to welcome everyone. Then, the match began, with the players entering from backstage to greet the crowd.

In the middle of the match, my heart kept pounding, and adrenaline surged as the excitement built up. The players’ fingers moved as fast as I had imagined, tapping the phone screens with fierce determination to win. The match followed a best-of-five format—the first team to win three sets would claim victory. The intensity on the screen made me nervous, even just as a spectator. The whole match lasted nearly two hours, ending later than I had expected. When the host finally announced the winner, both teams bowed and thanked the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause.

As an esports fan for three years, finally making my dream come true was incredibly exciting. Meeting the players in person, instead of just watching them on a screen, felt surreal. Experiencing the electric atmosphere of an offline match was one of my goals when I first came to China to study. This unforgettable experience is a story I will always cherish.