OPPO named global smartphone partner of League of Legends esports

Riot Games announced a partnership with smartphone manufacturer OPPO, making them the official partner of League of Legends esports for all international events.

The Chinese phone company OPPO is making its next venture into the world of esports by becoming the official partner of League of Legends, after partnering with other traditional sports such as Wimbledon and FC Barcelona.

It’s a multi-year partnership that will run until 2024, beginning as soon as October 2 at Worlds 2019. 

With the partnership, OPPO will feature new behind-the-scenes looks and provide a spotlight to teams making their first appearance at Worlds. This will give viewers a look at top underdogs along with some of the dark horses.

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All of this is being done in an effort to bring fans closer to the action than ever and they have several different things in store for viewers. 

Here’s a look at what’s in store for Worlds and events after:

• MVP Presented by OPPO: As the first global presenting partner for the Most Valuable Player award at the World Championship and Mid-Season Invitational, OPPO will celebrate the most winning performance for the most critical matches of the season. 

• OPPO Cam: During the broadcasts of the World Championship, the OPPO Cam will bring millions of fans tuning in closer to the biggest competition of the esports season. From cosplay to behind-the-scenes look-ins, the OPPO Cam will allow fans watching from around the world to look in on the live event experience by leveraging OPPO’s unparalleled phone camera technology. 

• Welcome to the Rift: OPPO will spotlight teams making their inaugural appearance at Worlds, allowing fans an inside look at the next League of Legend prodigies, the top underdog contenders, and the most dangerous dark horses.

Brian Shen, Vice President of OPPO, said this will be an excellent way to connect with the younger generation of people.

“Esports is a fast-growing sport globally, and League of Legends has become a lifestyle of many young people in recent years,” said Shen. “As a consumer-centered brand, OPPO always seeks the right way to communicate with young people, our target audience. This is a great move for Riot and OPPO; the partnership will allow us to continue to strengthen our bond with the young as we join them in celebrating the victory of each game.”

Naz Aletaha, Head of Global Esports Business Development and Partnerships for Riot Games, says they look forward to the partnership and says they look forward to celebrating the game with them.

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“OPPO’s commitment to design and innovation are cornerstones in everything they do, and we are thrilled to have them bring their pioneering spirit to our global sport and fanbase,” said Aletaha. “To be OPPO’s first esports league partner is a powerful testament to the resonance of League of Legends esports, and we look forward to collaborating together to celebrate the sport, our fans, and the love of the game. ”

As an added perk of the partnership, OPPO will feature a series of promotions that give viewers a chance to win a trip to the World Championship, All-Star Event, or Mid-Season Invitational.

This news comes on the heels Mastercard becoming the exclusive credit card sponsor of the LCS. Through this sponsorship, a weekly documentary was produced that highlighted the best player of the week.