Honor of Kings has officially rewritten esports history. The mobile MOBA title achieved the Guinness World Record for the largest live audience ever recorded for an esports match. On November 8, more than 62,196 fans filled China’s iconic National Stadium — popularly called the Bird’s Nest — to watch All Gamers (AG Super Play) defeat Wolves Esports 4–2 in the KPL Grand Finals.
A Monumental Milestone in Esports Culture
According to Guinness World Records, the achievement surpasses the previous benchmark of 45,000 spectators set during the PES 2016 UEFA Euro event in Paris. The Bird’s Nest roared as officials announced the record midway through the finals, cementing China’s status as a global epicenter for competitive gaming.
The timing could not have been better. Honor of Kings is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, a decade that saw it grow from a domestic sensation to a worldwide phenomenon with over 200 million players and a thriving professional ecosystem.
Ten Years of Legacy and Growth
Since its launch in China in 2015, Honor of Kings has evolved into one of the most influential mobile games in the world. Its competitive circuit, the King Pro League (KPL), has become a centerpiece of mobile esports culture, combining strategic depth, storytelling, and community engagement. Now in its ninth year, the KPL continues to set standards for production and fan involvement.
The 2025 Grand Final between AG Super Play and Wolves Esports sold out in just twelve seconds. An astonishing eighty-five percent of tickets were purchased by fans from outside Beijing, proving how deeply the game has rooted itself across the nation.
The Bird’s Nest and Esports History
This was not the first time the Bird’s Nest opened its doors to esports. The venue previously hosted the League of Legends World Championship in 2017, but the Honor of Kings final took attendance and production to new levels. Guinness officials on site certified the record before a roaring crowd that reflected the massive growth of mobile gaming as mainstream entertainment.
What Comes Next for Honor of Kings
Following the KPL Grand Finals, the spotlight now turns to the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC 2025). The global tournament will feature top teams from around the world vying for a million-dollar prize pool. The top three finishers from KIC 2025 will advance to the Challenger Cup in December, a multi-tier event that also includes women’s rosters, streamer teams, and grassroots champions.
AG Super Play enters as the heavy favorite, having won six consecutive tier-one titles including the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025. Their victory at the Bird’s Nest has not only cemented their dynasty but also signaled a new age for mobile esports viewership and scale.
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