The 'Esports Championships Asia Jinju 2026', hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-organized by the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), South Gyeongsang Province, and Jinju City, is set to take place at the Jinju Indoor Gymnasium from April 24th to 26th.

This tournament is an official national-level competition that launched in 2021 through the joint efforts of the South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese governments. This year, around 150 athletes and officials from seven Asian nations are set to compete, with each squad selected by their respective national esports associations, which hold the mandate from their national Olympic committees. South Korea has also assembled a national team featuring players likely to represent the nation at the Asian Games.

The event features six official titles, including the three fighting games selected for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games (Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and The King of Fighters 15), the eFootball series (PC/mobile), PUBG Mobile, and the home-grown title 'Eternal Return'. Additionally, the K-POP dance AI platform 'Stepin' has been included as a trial event.

The tournament will be broadcast live worldwide via Disney+, SOOP, and YouTube. Alongside the competition, various side events such as interactive booths, pop-up stores, and cosplay parades will be held. Further details can be found on the official website (eca2026.kr).

Kim Jae-hyun, Director General of the Culture and Media Industry Policy Office at the Ministry, stated, "The Esports Championships Asia is a model for national competition pioneered by South Korea, the birthplace of esports," adding, "We hope this event serves as a cultural bridge for the youth across Asia. The Ministry will continue to implement various policies to foster the international growth of esports."