On December 23rd, the launch ceremony of the first highly anticipated Guangdong Esports Super League (GESL) was held in Huangpu District, Guangzhou. With a total prize pool exceeding 1 million yuan, the offline competition will span 21 cities across Guangdong.

For this edition, the organizers selected two titles popular among esports fans, "Honor of Kings" and "Valorant," as the official competition games. Operated on a market-oriented basis, GESL aims not only to deliver thrilling experiences to wide esports enthusiasts, but also to empower Guangdong's esports industry by strengthening IP development, deepening culture-tourism integration, and exploring new pathways for sustainable industry growth.

The first GESL will span 21 cities in Guangdong. In addition to logistical considerations for hosting, cultural factors were also taken into account in the division of competition zones. For example, the First Division, including Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing, is deeply rooted in Guangfu culture. The Second Division, comprising Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Huizhou, and other cities, reflects the new milestones in integrated development within the Greater Bay Area.

At the launch ceremony, the organizers unveiled the trophy, named the "Jingyue Liuguang Zun." Drawing inspiration from the form of the "Zun," a classical ritual vessel from ancient China, the trophy features two handles inspired by Guangdong's iconic dragon boats and Cantonese lion dance. Its body is adorned with shimmering gilded motifs of lions and dragon boats, symbolizing the spirit of striving for excellence. As the GESL's mascots, "Yuexiaojing" and "Jingxiaoyue" were also unveiled at the launch ceremony. In Chinese folklore, the Aoyu (a mythical dragon-headed, fish-bodied creature) symbolizes taking the lead. This cultural significance resonates perfectly with the core ethos of being No. 1 in esports arenas.

电竞粤超全力打造“家门口的顶级赛事”

12月23日，备受瞩目的广东省首届电子竞技超级联赛（以下简称“电竞粤超”）在广州市黄埔区举行启动仪式，奖池总奖金超一百万元，线下比赛覆盖广东全域21地市。

本次电竞粤超赛事选用电竞爱好者较为熟悉的《王者荣耀》和《无畏契约》作为比赛项目。赛事采用市场化运作模式，力求为广大电竞爱好者提供精彩体验的同时，为广东电竞行业加强赛事IP打造、深化与文旅等领域融合、产业实现长效发展探索新路径。

首届“电竞粤超”将覆盖广东省21座城市，除了考虑举办各种因素外，文化也是划分赛区的参考依据。以第一赛区为例，广州、佛山、中山、江门、肇庆五城承载着深厚的广府文化。第二赛区的深圳、珠海、东莞、惠州等城市则见证了大湾区融合发展的新跨越。

启动仪式上，主办方公布了本次的奖杯“竞粤鎏光尊”。奖杯整体器型参考古代礼器尊的造型，融合广东特色文化龙舟及醒狮作为双耳，杯身狮身和龙舟采用鎏光设计，象征拼搏向上。启动仪式上也公布了大赛的吉祥物“粤小竞”和“竞小粤”。鳌鱼本就是民间“独占鳌头”的文化载体，天然对应电竞赛场“竞逐第一”的核心精神。

文｜记者 李春炜 郝浩宇
译丨郑奕玲
英文审校丨赵凡