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Electronics brand TCL is making its UK esports debut this month with the TCL World University Esports Championship FC25 tournament at the University of Warwick.
Hosted by Warwick’s Esports Centre and sponsored by TCL, the event will bring together both university and college students from across the country to battle it out in EA’s latest FC25 football game.
It’s the third year of the TCL World University Esports Championship, with the first two seasons in China and this one global across three countries: Vietnam (Valorant), China (League of Legends and TFT) and the UK (FC25).
TCL has been heavily involved in the esports industry in China, sponsoring the League of Legends LPL tournament and EDG team (2024 Valorant World Champions). TCL is also an official regional partner of English Premier League football club Arsenal, as the electronics brand looks to link football and esports in UK.
TCL said in a press release that through its TCL Young initiative, it ‘continues to empower the next generation, offering pathways for personal achievement and creativity through the dynamic world of gaming’.
The tournament unfolds across four stages:
- Registration Period: 27th September – 4th October
- University Internal Tournament: 27th September – 10th October
- Online Tournament (1st & 2nd Rounds): 12th – 13th October 19th – 20th October
- Grand Final: 26th October 2-5pm, Warwick Esports Centre
Each university or college will run its own internal competition, with the winners advancing to represent their institution in the national online tournament. The top four players will then battle it out in the grand final, competing for a £1,000 prize pool and a new TCL TV.
The University of Warwick has previously hosted national university tournaments for Valorant, CSGO and League of Legends, sponsored by Chillblast. However, this is the first national FC25 university tournament it’s hosting.
Sharing Xiao, TCL UK/Ireland Country Manager, said:
“As a global company, TCL’s World University Esports Championship is all about empowering young people with the very tech that enables players to feel the intensity of the action as if they were right in the game.”
Sharing Xiao, TCL
“We’re excited to inspire greatness by playing alongside the next generation, recognising their unique abilities, and opening doors for them to succeed. Through this tournament we are excited to co-create diverse possibilities with young gamers, helping them realise their potential in a way that reflects both their aspirations and our brand’s values.”
Elenore Li, Marketing and Event Coordinator at the Esports Centre, University of Warwick, added: “We are excited to welcome a global brand like TCL in the UK esports scene and host this national tournament. It’s a fantastic opportunity to all students who are gaming enthusiast!”
Mick McLaughlin, Business Development Manager at Warwick Esports Centre, shared: “This tournament is a great opportunity for young people to embrace the world of esports while offering students a chance to compete on a national stage. Our partnership with TCL reflects our commitment to promoting innovation and creating exciting esports events for the next generation.”
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
