[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]B[/mkdf_dropcaps]
arcelona have announced a strategic partnership with Chinese technology and gaming company Tencent, in an effort to boost their esports presence.
The Spanish football giant currently competes in esports competitions on Konami’s eFootball PES and Psyonix’s Rocket League, with the partnership set to cover esports competitions, education, and industry exchange.
As part of the deal, Barcelona aims to explore further collaboration between competitive game and its traditional sport product, seeking a partnership with a Chinese esports team, according to Palco23.
In hopes of a partnership with a Chinese esports team, the club is seeking a franchise approach of their brand with an existing property to enter the esports market.
With the announcement of the deal with Tencent, it is reported Barcelona will look at entering League of Legends and Fortnite competitions, as Tencent owns League of Legends developer, Riot Games, and co-owns TJ Sports, which operates China’s League of Legends Pro League.
Tencent also holds a 40% stake in Fortnite publisher, Epic Games, indicating Barcelona is poised to enter both of those titles with the help of Tencent.
With this partnership, Barcelona becomes the second European football club to partner with Tencent, after English Premier League club, Manchester City, partnered with Tencent last year to boost their esports offering.
