The much-anticipated China Hangzhou Esports Center in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, started operating on May 31.

The venue's first day of operations also witnessed its first esports demonstration match for Naraka: Bladepoint, which was livestreamed on platforms, including Douyu, Huya, and Bilibili.

The center will host esports competitions and give out eight gold medals during the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.

Construction of the venue, the first of its kind in China, started on Sept 24, 2020. The center covers an area of 80,000 square meters and can accommodate 4,500 spectators. One of its most unique features is its vortex-like ceiling.

Esports was included in the Asian Games for the first time as a demonstration sport at the 2018 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia, with China winning two gold medals and a silver medal.