The entertainment giant Disney has formed a partnership with the Korea Esports Association to deliver multiple competitive gaming series to its video service. The platform will serve as the international broadcast hub for the Esports Champions Asia Jinju 2026, the 2026 League of Legends KeSPA Cup, and select qualifying matches leading into the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026. This collaboration builds on KeSPA's prior collaboration with Disney, limited last year to regional audiences within Asia.
Kicking off the schedule is Esports Champions Asia, set for April 24-26, featuring elite squads from various Asian nations competing in titles such as Street Fighter 6, The King of Fighters XV, TEKKEN 8, and the eFootball lineup. Additionally, Disney+ will handle official coverage of the PUBG Mobile and Eternal Return showdowns over those days.
This setup offers a convenient centralized spot for audiences outside Asia to follow prominent regional competitions. That said, numerous events remain accessible at no cost via platforms like Twitch and YouTube, potentially making a paid Disney+ membership seem like an unnecessary barrier for some global viewers. The esports landscape could mirror the divided licensing structure seen in conventional athletics, with matches scattered across various subscription outlets nightly. Furthermore, the shift may reduce audiences for collaborative broadcasts, as Disney is not expected to provide the interactive streaming options that have boosted this trend on Twitch.