PGL and Perfect World sign strategic esports partnership for 2024-2026 seasons

Esports tournament organiser PGL and Chinese game publisher and tournament operator Perfect World have formed a strategic esports partnership for the 2024-2026 esports seasons.

The companies will collaborate on Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) events as well as act on several co-branding opportunities.

Perfect World is the Chinese distributor of Valve’s esports titles Counter-Strike and Dota 2. It also worked with Valve on launching the Steam storefront in China. The company’s esports arm hosts CS2 and Dota 2 competitions in China, such as the Dota 2 Asia Championships and the CS2 Major in Shanghai.

Romania-based PGL has operated several major CS2 and Dota 2 tournaments in the past, and is set to host the upcoming PGL Major Copenhagen later this month. PGL and Perfect World have been working together since 2017 and are moving to the “next chapter” in their relationship, PGL CEO Silviu Stroie said on X.

PGL and Perfect World’s new agreement focuses on cooperation in tournament publicity, promotion, production and technical support, per a release.

Leveraging its global reach and esports content experience, PGL said it will produce all Perfect World events in English with global rights, excluding China.

Moreover, Perfect World will produce all PGL events in China and own rights for the Chinese market. PGL said this will amplify the reach and impact of PGL events in the region.

Finally, the companies plan to explore co-branded collaborations that ‘resonate with the gaming commmunity’. No specifics or further details were revealed regarding what these co-branding opportunities would involve.

PGL, which was founded in 2002, announced recently that the PGL Major would be streamed on Kick, alongside announcing event sponsors such as 1xBet and Zowie.

Additionally, it recently announced a bold Dota 2 strategy. The company plans to invest in the game’s competitive scene, featuring at least eight large-scale tournaments between 2024 and 2026 each with a $1m prize pool.