Think about the big esports nations of the world. You might immediately think about places like Japan and South Korea, where the very idea of esports originated. Or the U.S., which now has the most valuable esports market in the world. But you should also think of Singapore, which is rapidly emerging as a leading esports tournament location. Many homes have smartphones, computers, and high-speed internet, and it’s not uncommon to see Singaporeans on their phones in their free time, gambling on https://1winsingapore.com/, playing games, or chatting with friends over video calls.
A lot of big esports events have been held in this part of the world of late, like the global esports Valorant Champions Tour. And this is great news for the local economy, the STB (Singapore Tourism Board), and the country on the whole.
But what is it about Singapore that makes it such a prime esports hub? Well, it’s a mix of factors, really, including the ideal geographic location, the strong technological infrastructure, plus the excellent governmental support for the esports sphere. Let’s take a closer look at these factors and the impact of esports hosting in Singapore.
Infrastructure for Hosting World-Class Esports Tournaments
The esports industry cannot exist without strong infrastructure. You need great internet access, strong mobile coverage, venues for training, gaming, and events, and so on. Luckily, Singapore covers all of these bases.
Cutting-Edge Venues and Arenas
Singapore has some of the very best esports arena destinations in all of Asia, including:
- Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre – This dedicated esports arena has been used for a range of Dota 2, Valorant, and League of Legends tournaments.
- Singapore Indoor Stadium – Another premium, futuristic stadium, where esports tournaments can take place with plenty of room for a large crowd.
Advanced Technical and Internet Infrastructure
You have to have strong tech infrastructure, too, for a thriving esports sector. This is an area in which Singapore has invested heavily over recent years, and the population here is very tech-minded.
There’s very strong 5G coverage here, combined with excellent home and business internet speeds. This all helps to support good quality, low-latency gaming which is competitive in nature, allowing everyday people to live out their own esports dreams from the comfort of home.
Key Global Tournaments Hosted in Singapore
Singapore isn’t just emerging into the esports world. It’s already an established name in the industry, having hosted several major international events, such as:
Dota 2: The International 2022
Dota 2’s one of the biggest names in esports. And Singapore had the honor of hosting the first The International tournament for this game in all of Southeast Asia. It was chosen for its huge esports following and great arenas, which made the event extra special for fans.
There was a US$19 million prize pool and events were held in both Suntec Singapore and the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Team Secret and Tundra Esports battled it out in the final, with Tundra taking the big win. It had a peak viewership of over 1.75 million.
Valorant Champions Tour (VCT)
Valorant is another major name in the esports world right now. It’s a hero shooter, beloved by many for its deep layers of strategy and excellent map design. The Valorant Champions Tour is arguably the peak of competitive Valorant.
And, in 2022 and 2024, the tour came to Singapore and neighboring Malaysia. This not only goes to demonstrate the rising popularity of Valorant in Southeast Asia, but the increasing prominence of Singapore as an esports nation.
Mobile Legends: M-Series
Competitive mobile gaming is massive in many parts of Asia, like Singapore. And the title Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the biggest games in this sector. The M-Series is the height of ML:BB play, with annual competitions in various countries.
In 2020 and 2021, the M2 and M3 World Championship events came to Singapore. These events saw some of the greatest players and most hotly-contested matchups in the history of esports, and also gave Singapore a leading place in elevating mobile esports to global levels.
How Singapore Attracts Global Esports Tournaments
So, what is it about Singapore that puts it at the top of the list for the likes of Valorant tournaments and CS2 majors? Well, there are numerous factors that have put this country among the biggest esports markets in the world. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important ones.
Government Support and Funding
The Singaporean government and especially the Singapore Tourism Board are not at all shy about getting involved with esports and promoting it on both a national and international level.
In recent years, the STD has actively promoted esports tourism in the country by:
- Hosting major esports events for a range of popular game titles
- Created esports tourism campaigns to get gamers engaged in Singapore and beyond
- Worked with esports organizers, leagues, and authorities to improve infrastructure
The government is also working towards providing interesting incentives for tournament organizers and sponsors, plus initiatives to support esports teams and the overall industry, making it a bigger part of the country’s economy.
Partnerships with Major Gaming Companies
Singapore has also not been reticent to forge alliances and business relationships with some of the biggest names in the e-gaming space. We’re talking about the likes of major game studios, such as Riot Games and Valve, along with other tech and media enterprises, like Tencent and Moonton.
It also teamed up with international and local esports organizations, from ESPL (Esports Players League) to Singtel PVP Esports, and attracted sponsor investment from such names as Red Bull and Razor. It’s this open and accepting attitude and eagerness to work with big names in esports that makes Singapore such a welcoming space for the industry’s leaders.
Building an Ecosystem for Players and Fans
Singapore is well-positioned to become a bigger and better place for esports for generations to come, as it has put systems in place to raise a veritable army of young esports stars. There are, for example, esports academies and training programs at leading universities, like Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Polytechnic, where people can learn about esports and either pursue careers as pro players or start their own esports-related businesses.
We’re also seeing a growth in popularity of Singaporean esports streamers, influencers, and other online personalities. Lots of young kids now in Singapore and other nations are growing up watching these pro gamers and wanting to be like them. This should help Singapore produce more top-level gaming guys and girls in the years to come.
Economic and Tourism Impact
One of the big reasons why Singapore’s tourism board and government have put so much time, money, and effort into promoting esports and hosting tournaments is because of the beneficial effects for the economy.
Whenever a big esports tourney is held here, it brings in loads of people. Tens of thousands of spectators can travel to see these tournaments, and those numbers are set to get even bigger in the years ahead as esports becomes more popular and stadiums expand. All those people pour money into local businesses, like shops, hotels, bars, restaurants, etc.
This is a big boon for the nation’s economy, as well as small, medium, and big business owners. There’s also a lot of crossover potential between Singapore’s esports and other sectors, like culture and entertainment – in other words, tourists who visit for an esports event might also visit local museums, landmarks, theaters, and so on.
The Future of Esports in Singapore
As this guide has repeatedly shown, the future looks bright for esports in Singapore right now. We can only expect to see more growth, more investment, more benefits for local people and the economy, and even more tournaments set to be hosted in this special, esports-loving part of the world.
Indeed, some big events are already scheduled, like:
- Six Invitational 2025 Asia Pacific Finals
- Blast Dota Slam
- LCK Cup 2025
It’s also possible that Singapore might eventually host even bigger events by 2030. That could include CS2 majors, League of Legends Worlds, and events of the Free Fire World Series, among others.
It’ll also be interesting to see how Singapore adapts to changes in the gaming landscape on the whole, like the rise of VR and AR gaming in esports, and the growing role of the metaverse in gaming experiences.
Conclusion: Why Singapore Is the Perfect Destination for Esports Championships
So, what can we learn from Singapore’s amazing esports success so far? Well, this country is a shining example of how it can pay off to invest in and take interest in small but growing industries with lots of future potential.
Singapore’s tourism board and other authorities correctly foresaw that esports was going to become a major force. And they got in on the ground floor, working well with teams, organizers, and leagues to host lots of great events.
They’re making great strides in hosting esports events and supporting and supporting teams and aspiring esports athletes nationwide. And this is paying dividends for the economy, tourist numbers, and more.
In the years ahead, Singapore is only going to build on these successes and become an even more attractive proposition for esports investors. So, any international tournament organizers would be wise to continue investing in this nation and building bonds with the STB.
