Million-Dollar Showdown: CAC 2025 Asian Championships Kicks Off in Shanghai Today

The premier Asian esports event, CAC 2025 (Counter-Strike Asian Championships), will officially commence at 11:00 on October 14 at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. As the exclusive operator of the internationally renowned esports title CS:GO in mainland China, Perfect World brings its professional tournament operations expertise and extensive industry experience to lay a solid foundation for the success of CAC 2025.

This year’s tournament features a total prize pool of $1 million, attracting 16 top-tier teams from around the globe to compete for the highest honor in Asia’s Counter-Strike arena. Among the 16 teams, 10 have received direct invitations, while 6 have advanced through qualifiers. The prize pool is distributed as $600,000 for teams and $400,000 for players.

Schedule and Viewing Guide

Group Stage (October 14–16): Double-elimination format. The 16 teams will be divided into two groups, with the top team from each group advancing directly to the semifinals. The second and third-placed teams will progress to the quarterfinals.

Playoffs (October 17–19): Single-elimination format. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and third-place match will be best-of-three, while the grand final will be a best-of-five showdown.

Grand Final (October 18, 19:00): BO5 championship clash.

The event will be broadcast live on platforms including Huya, Douyu, Twitch, and YouTube. On-site spectators can purchase tickets via Damai.cn.

Partners

Strategic Partners: NVIDIA, Intel, AGON, Samsung Memory

Event Partners: Sony INZONE, Colorful Technology, Morphling, ZHIKE Memory

Venue Partner: Shanghai Oriental Sports Center (Sponsored by SPD Bank), Shanghai Pudong Shangri-La

Event Highlights and Industry Significance

CAC 2025 introduces an AI Tactical Analysis System for the first time, providing real-time data support to participating teams. The CEO of Perfect World Esports stated, “The Asian market is a critical growth engine for the Counter-Strike ecosystem. We are committed to making CAC a bridge connecting global esports cultures.”

As the event approaches, this grand esports spectacle, blending strategic depth and thrilling competition, is set to ignite Shanghai with electrifying energy.