Honor of Kings sets Guinness record with 60,000-plus fans at KPL finals in China

The King Pro League (KPL) 2025 Grand Finals, held at the Beijing National Stadium last November 8, established the world record for the largest number of live spectators in a single esports event.

Honor of Kings

MANILA, Philippines — Honor of Kings has set a new benchmark in esports history, drawing 62,196 fans to Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest Stadium” for the King Pro League (KPL) 2025 Grand Finals last Saturday and reaching 250 million unique viewers online. This achievement had made KPL the world’s most-watched mobile esports league.

"Based on the official statistical data of independent ticketing platforms and the strict reviews of all evidence according to our official guidelines, on behalf of Guinness World Records, I am honored to announce that the 2025 KPL Grand Finals was attended by 62,196 people, including you the audiences in the stands, the floor audience, VIP guests in the box seats, and the media present. You have successfully achieved the 'Guinness World Record Title for the Largest Attendance Ever' for an esports match. On behalf of Guinness World Records, I would like to congratulate King Pro League and all the record attempt participants on this extraordinary accomplishment. You are truly officially amazing. May this milestone inspire you to continue exploring, innovating, and making the world a more interesting, fun and positive place. We also look forward to seeing more Chinese brands and stories showcased to the world through the platform of Guinness World Records,” announced Carlos Martinez, deputy country manager of Guinness World Records for Greater China to the packed Beijing National Stadium — more commonly known as "The Bird's Nest” — last Saturday, November 8.

The current approved attempt by the Guinness World Records was 45,000, during the Pro Evolution Soccer UEFA Euros 2016 tournament held in conjunction with the UEFA European Football Championships.

The record-breaking event featured a best-of-seven clash between KPL rivals Chengdu AG Super Play and Chongqing Wolves — two of the most dominant teams in Honor of Kings history with AG Super Play. The former won the past five top Honor of Kings League tournaments since bagging the KPL Summer 2024 title last year, while the latter are on a four-game winning streak in the lower bracket.

A repeat of last year's grand finals, Chengdu AG claimed the championship with a 4-2 victory to become the first team to win back-to-back titles. Star player Xu "YiNuo" Bicheng earned his second FMVP award, securing an exclusive in-game skin and making history as the first attack-damage specialist to achieve this feat.

With the KPL concluding, the spotlight shifts to Manila for the upcoming 2025 Honor of Kings International Championships.

Beginning November 14, top global teams across Southeast Asia, Brazil, East Asia and Europe will be competing for the crown, with the champion earning an exclusive FMVP skin.

The country's top seed, Blacklist International, and fellow Philippine bet ACT Esports Club were both drawn in Group A, along with South Korea's top team Nongshim RedForce and Indonesia's Vesakha Esports. Blacklist International and ACT Esports are already confirmed to face each other in the first round.

Group B sees Philippines' Elevate with a tough battle, facing defending champions and Malaysia's top seed HomeBois BSE in the first round. The local squad hopes to best Indonesia's top seed Bigetron by Vitality and Brazil's Alpha7 Esports to advance to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Boom Esports is in Group C with Indonesia's Kagendra, Malaysia's Alpha Gaming and Phoenix Reborn Qualifiers winner Rex Regum Qeon.

Considered the toughest group in the tournament, Group D sees European Champions OG against Brazil's top seed Loops, Malaysia's Nova Esports and last chance qualifiers Twisted Minds.

The competition kicks off on November 14 at the Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati. It will move to the Ayala Malls Manila Bay for the second round of the knockout stage until the grand finals.