EA Sports is going big on football esports this year, with two back-to-back tournaments landing in Shanghai this September. Fans of both FC Online and FC Mobile can look forward to the FC Pro Champions Cup and the FC Pro Mobile Festival, taking place from 9–14 September 2025 at the Jingwu Gymnasium in the Hongkou District. Together, the events will hand out a whopping total of $365,000 prize pool.

The FC Pro Champions Cup (9–12 September)

The action kicks off with the Champions Cup, the pinnacle of this year’s FC Pro circuit for both Online and Mobile.

• FC Online Champions Cup: 12 top teams, qualified through rankings and invites from the FC Pro Masters, will battle it out for a $300,000 (~£221,000) prize pool. The lineup features some heavy hitters including Gen.G, Advice E-sport, NK FC Online, ADJ, DRX, SZAJ, SONIC Gaming, Team VXIS, Dplus KIA, WOL, SevenTV, and Triple W. Teams will first face off in a group stage, split into four groups, before moving on to the single-elimination playoffs from 10–12 September.
• FC Mobile Champions Cup: Running alongside it, six players will compete for $60,000 (~£44,000), with the finals set for 11 September. The winner will walk away as Asia’s FC Mobile champion.

Last year’s FC Pro Masters in South Korea hit a peak of 673,000 viewers, making it the most-watched football esports event to date. With that kind of momentum, EA is clearly hoping Shanghai will push things even further.

“After an impressive debut for FC Mobile and FC Online esports in 2024, we’re meeting that enthusiasm with two back-to-back events that continue to raise the stakes,” said Sam Turkbas, Senior Director of Esports Product at EA.

The FC Pro Mobile Festival (13–14 September)

Once the Champions Cup wraps, the focus shifts to the FC Pro Mobile Festival, a lighter, entertainment-driven competition that brings pros and creators together.

Ten teams, each made up of one professional player and one content creator, will compete for a smaller $5,000 (~£3,690) prize pool. But it’s not just about the money, this event is more about fun, spectacle, and engaging a wider audience. Teams will start in a round-robin format on day one before the top contenders clash in single-elimination playoffs on day two.

The Festival isn’t limited to Asia either. Expect competitors from across China, Korea, Southeast Asia, MENA, Brazil, Europe, and the USA. EA is billing this as a celebration of football esports that blends high-level play with creator-led entertainment, complete with an opening ceremony.

“By reaching competitors and fans of FC Mobile and FC Online alike, we’re expanding the footprint of football esports to engage new regions and support the rise of new champions,” Turkbas added.

How to Watch

Both events will be streamed live, starting 9 September, in multiple languages. The FC Pro Mobile Festival will also be shown on the EA Sports FC Mobile YouTube channel, alongside a range of regional platforms.

EA’s Bigger Esports Push

Shanghai’s showcase comes right after EA confirmed the FC Pro 26 Global Qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta, where 256 players will compete for a share of $152,000. Clearly, EA is doubling down on building a global esports ecosystem around FC Mobile and FC Online, with regional competitions feeding into bigger international showdowns.

With the Champions Cup carrying prestige and prize money, and the Mobile Festival delivering entertainment and global flair, Shanghai is shaping up to be a milestone moment for football esports fans everywhere.

The post EA Sports Brings $365,000 FC Pro Esports Showcase to Shanghai appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games is taking the next exciting step in their mission to bring the most prestigious VALORANT event to every continent by just announcing to host the Champions 2026 in Shanghai.

Champions 2026 is headed to Shanghai!

This marks the next milestone in our journey to bring VALORANT’s biggest event to the heart of each major region.

Read more: https://t.co/0oCbjfx79d pic.twitter.com/02borbgDGu

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 1, 2025

Riot Games knew they had to make a comeback after the thrilling Masters Shanghai 2024, which drew record-breaking viewers and a crowded Mercedes-Benz Arena. It is evident that Shanghai is prepared to host the largest event on the VCT calendar because of the excitement from that event.

A Global Journey Leading to Shanghai

VALORANT Champions 2026 is part of Riot Games’ ambitious global rotation, aiming to celebrate each region’s passion for VALORANT while spotlighting the best of competitive gaming. Here’s what the global tour looks like leading up to Shanghai:

• 2024: Seoul, Korea
• 2025: Paris, France 
• 2026: Shanghai, China 
• 2027: Americas 

The Heart of VALORANT in China

Shanghai will be the pinnacle of an amazing adventure rather than merely a stop on the globe tour. The development of VALORANT esport in China has been significantly influenced by the city. The region is more than ready for its moment in the spotlight, as demonstrated by Edward Gaming’s global championship win and the debut of VCT China last year.

Image Credit: Riot Games

At Champions 2026, the VCT CN supporters will once again be on display as they support Wolves and Edward Gaming, two local superstars. With their activations lighting up city streets and packing venues, these fans have contributed to VALORANT’s success.

Expect the Highest Level of Competition

Champions 2026 will have it all, whether you’re watching for the thrilling games or the spectacular moments.

However, this tournament is about more than just the gameplay, it’s also about honoring the international community that has contributed to its success. As supporters from all walks of life come together to see history being made, Shanghai will turn into a vibrant celebration of the game.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Riot Games has already teased Champions 2027 in the Americas. With more chances for Tier 2 teams and a wider variety of tournaments held worldwide, this news paves the way for significant changes in the competitive scene.

The post VALORANT Champions 2026 Announced in Shanghai appeared first on Shane the Gamer.