South Korea launches first-ever region-based Esports league
The 2025 Korean Esports League (KEL), hosted by the South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Korea e-Sports Association, Krafton, Nimble Neuron, and Nexon Korea, marks Korea’s first region-based esports league. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is hosting a new esports league, co-organised by the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), Krafton, Nimble Neuron, and Nexon Korea. This collaboration brings together government support and leading game developers.
Game titles and teams in KEL 2025
features three popular titles: Battleground Mobile, Eternal Return, and FC Mobile. These games, chosen for their massive fanbases and established presence in the esports scene, offer a diverse mix of genres—FPS, MOBA, and sports simulation—enhancing the league’s appeal.
The 2025 Korea Esports League (KEL) will feature teams from a wide range of locations, highlighting regional pride. Participating areas include major cities like Busan, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Sejong; provinces and districts such as Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollanam-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do; and other areas, including Suseong-gu, Seongnam, Yangju, and Jecheon.
The Battleground Mobile category in the 2025 Korea Esports League (KEL) will feature 16 teams: Nine regional teams, three partner teams, and four amateur teams. Each team offers a unique blend of experienced players and emerging talent. This will also feature 12 regional teams for Eternal Return and 8 regional teams for FC Mobile, ensuring strong regional representation and fostering local rivalries.
Event schedule and venues
The 2025 Korea Esports League (KEL) will feature both online and offline matches. Offline events will take place in esports stadiums in Busan, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Goyang (KINTEX), blending virtual engagement with real-world excitement.
- Opening Matches: 24–25 April at Busan Esports Stadium.
- Battleground Mobile Finals: 30–31 August in Daejeon.
- FC Mobile Finals: 10 August in Busan.
- Eternal Return Super Week: Begins 23 April at KINTEX during Play Expo.
- Eternal Return Finals: 19 September in Seoul, 11 October in Daejeon.
Prize pool and recognition
The 2025 Korea Esports League (KEL) boasts a total prize pool of 100 million KRW ($71,480), with 30 million KRW ($21,444) allocated to Battleground Mobile, 50 million KRW ($35,765) to Eternal Return, and 20 million KRW ($14,306) to FC Mobile. In addition to the prize money, winners receive significant benefits. Battleground Mobile champions earn points towards the PMGC (Global Championship), Eternal Return victors get a share of profits from the Season 7 Support Package, and FC Mobile finalists qualify for the FC Pro Champions Cup in late 2025.
Audiences can watch the Korea Esports League (KEL) live on Naver Zizik, SOOP, and the official KEL YouTube channel. With high production quality and engaging shoutcasters, the online viewing experience is electrifying.
