Aksel Kryhlmand
The funding comes from Chongqing Lvfazhiye Group Co., Ltd. (Lvfa Group) and marks a major step forward in Wolves’ long-term strategy to expand its esports footprint in Asia.
Wolves Esports, the gaming division of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers and a subsidiary of Fosun Sports, has announced a landmark £20 million investment to develop a state-of-the-art esports venue in China.
The funding comes from Chongqing Lvfazhiye Group Co., Ltd. (Lvfa Group) and marks a major step forward in Wolves’ long-term strategy to expand its esports footprint in Asia. The deal will not only finance the construction of a new home arena but also support the upgrade of team operations, brand development, and commercial initiatives.
A New Esports Hub in Chongqing
The new facility is currently under construction in the Bishan district of Chongqing, with a planned floor area of 10,000 square meters and seating for 2,000 spectators. The venue is expected to open by the end of 2025 and will serve as the centerpiece of Wolves’ growing presence in China’s booming esports market.
This isn’t Wolves’ first move into Chinese infrastructure. In 2023, they launched a 1,500-square-meter esports base in Chongqing dedicated to staff and player development. Their Honor of Kings division already hosts home games in an existing venue, which has held over 130 offline events, drawing nearly 200,000 fans and contributing more than 100 million RMB (~£10.3m) to the local economy.
A Multi-Game Powerhouse
Wolves Esports fields teams in some of the most competitive titles on the Asian and global stage, including:
- Honor of Kings (KPL)
- VALORANT (top 4 at VCT Masters Toronto)
- QQ Speed
- Identity V
- Naraka: Bladepoint
- Call of Duty: Mobile
- FC Online
The organisation has been particularly successful in VALORANT, emerging as a surprise international contender and further cementing Wolves’ reputation beyond football.
A “Tournament-Content-Commerce” Model
Fosun Sports Group President Deng Houjun spoke of the broader ambition behind the investment:
We hope to use this financing as a springboard to deepen our ‘esports + city’ integrated industry model. While enhancing competitive performance, we will also invest in building a digital content ecosystem and develop a ‘tournament-content-commerce’ trinity model.
He added that Wolves is aiming to become a “globally influential esports brand“, with plans for diversified commercial models and deeper integration with urban industries.
Strategic Impact
The move represents one of the most ambitious Western-led investments in Chinese esports infrastructure and reflects a growing trend of cross-sector investment between football and esports. It also signals Wolves’ commitment to becoming a leading hybrid sports and entertainment brand, capable of engaging both traditional football fans and digital-native audiences.
As esports continues to mature into a mainstream industry, Wolves Esports is positioning itself as a pioneer in long-term, infrastructure-driven growth, blending competitive success with community-building and economic impact.