The Shanghai Esports Masters 2024 kicked off with a glittering opening ceremony on the evening of Dec 4 at the Jing'an Sports Center in Shanghai.

Around 100 elite e-sports players from across the globe are taking part on Dec 4-8 in the heart of Shanghai to compete in four games: Honor of Kings, Valorant, Street Fighter 6 and Naraka: Bladepoint.

As in previous years, SEM 2024 remains a premier competition, showcasing high-stakes rivalries between top-tier teams.

The King Pro League, the e-sports league based on Tencent's mobile game sensation Honor of Kings, has dispatched eight teams featuring many star players.

The Valorant competition is being headlined by the newly crowned world champion EDG and Singapore's powerhouse team PRX.

Meanwhile, the Street Fighter 6 segment has undergone a major upgrade, evolving from last year's invitational format into a high-stakes competition featuring China's top eight players.

The winner will secure the chance to represent China at the world championships.

The Naraka: Bladepoint competition, deeply rooted in Shanghai's e-sports scene, will feature a solo showdown of 12 players, including OUG Mike, the reigning solo champion of the Naraka: Bladepoint Pro League.

In addition to the elevated tournament lineup, the overall event experience has been significantly enhanced to excite e-sports fans.

This year's stage has been redesigned with expanded seating, giving more spectators the opportunity to experience the performances of the world's top e-sports players up close.

Tickets for the event have been in high demand, with seats for popular weekend matches selling out almost instantly after sales began. Despite the enthusiasm, ticket prices remain accessible, starting as low as 68 yuan ($9.36).

New spectator service points have also been set up around the venue to cater to the needs of attendees. Dedicated fan zones and immersive experience areas have been introduced, in a bid to ensure an engaging and interactive atmosphere for all e-sports enthusiasts.

For fans unable to attend in person, the entire tournament will be streamed live on platforms such as Huya Live, Bilibili, Douyu Live, Kuaishou, Douyin, WeChat Channels and Tencent Video — providing global audiences with real-time access to the event.

Jointly organized by the Shanghai Administration of Sports and the Jing'an district government, the tournament also receives support from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Administration of Sports at "shanghaitiyu"