Shanghai's online gaming industry recorded sales of 83.28 billion yuan ($11.61 billion) in the first half of 2025, up 10.8 percent year-on-year, according to data released at the Shanghai game publishing industry report conference on July 15.

Domestic sales totaled nearly 68.74 billion yuan, while overseas sales reached about 14.55 billion yuan, up 10.73 percent and 11.12 percent, respectively, from the same period in 2024.

The city's esports sector continued to grow. The revenue in areas beyond game sales reached 3.25 billion yuan, a 6.91 percent increase year-on-year.

Notably, esports livestreaming generated 2.12 billion yuan in revenue, while esports tournaments earned 507 million yuan — both figures ranking first in the country.

As China's gaming hub, Shanghai hosts a wide range of events, including industry summits and large-scale exhibitions.

The sector's growth has spurred technological innovation in traditional sectors. Game engines, VR/AR, and AIGC technologies are now widely applied in fields like medical simulation and industrial design. A locally developed virtual surgical training system, which features gamified interaction, has been promoted by China's National Health Commission to enhance training efficiency.

The industry has also fueled urban economic activity, with major gaming expos, concerts, and international esports events drawing large crowds and boosting local tourism and spending. The Hero Esports Asian Champions League final and 27 other gaming events have attracted over 76,000 spectators.

Shanghai maintains its strong presence in the overseas gaming market. In 2024, 63.3 percent of the city's top 100 overseas mobile game titles from the previous year retained their positions. The city also remains competitive in esports, with tournament revenue reaching 508 million yuan, a 1.69 percent year-on-year increase, accounting for 46.91 percent of the national total.

From January to June, esports clubs in Shanghai generated 385 million yuan, accounting for 42.94 percent of national club revenue. In addition, Shanghai is home to 23.94 percent of all esports clubs in China, with 15 of the nation's top 50 esports clubs based here.

Source: Shanghai Observer