FC Barcelona has announced a strategic esports partnership with Tencent covering competitive gaming competitions, education and industry exchange.
As part of the partnership, Barcelona will engage in deep communication with Tencent regarding improving its esports presence, which currency is only active in football related titles Rocket League and PES.
Over the last 12 months Barcelona has expressed its intention to develop its esports division, with the competitive gaming industry expected to generate revenues of over $1 billion this year.
Speaking to Palco23 in February, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu emphasised that the club is interested in the esports sector, however, the club will not participate in games which are considered ‘too violent’.
The Chinese company Tencent owns Riot Games, the creator of popular esport League of Legends along with its new title Valorant. Moreover, Tencent has a 40 per cent stake in Epic Games, the developers of Fortnite.
Tencent also co-owns TJ Sports, the organiser of China’s professional league of legends competition (LPL) with all signs pointing toward the football club looking to invest in one of the worlds biggest titles.
The specifics of the partnership have yet to be revealed. This isn’t Tencent’s first partnership with a European football club with Manchester City establishing a relationship with the Chinese firm last year.
GreatInGaming says: Although the details of the partnership are not yet clear beyond the discussion stage, it could be possible that FB Barcelona will be looking into entering the Esports League of Legends competitions. We will be keeping an eye on this space!