Shanghai has introduced new measures to support the development of the game and esports industry, focusing on core elements and key steps of industry development, striving to achieve significant breakthroughs in multiple areas through precise policy provision.
According to China News Service, the 'Several Measures of Shanghai to Support Game and Esports Industry Development' has been officially issued.
The measures state that, within the three core districts of Xuhui, Yangpu, and Jing’an—which have already formed a clustering effect—industrial parks and incubators that meet the requirements may receive funding support of up to 5 million yuan (RMB, approximately 3.25 million ringgit) per year, and the three districts will be encouraged to formulate complementary support policies. In terms of financial support, a Shanghai Game Industry Investment Fund will be established, with an initial fundraising target of 500 million yuan, focusing on supporting innovation and entrepreneurship by small and micro teams. In terms of talent attraction and cultivation, universities are encouraged to set up game-related majors, and more than 1,000 internship positions for university students will be provided annually.
There will be encouragement for the creation of more "Shanghai-produced" works that integrate outstanding Chinese traditional culture and Shanghai urban elements, and the application of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence in game development will be supported. Shanghai is the first in the country to propose the creation of a "game going global service platform," providing a full-chain, one-stop service for enterprises. Support will be given to making major brand events such as ChinaJoy (China International Digital Entertainment Expo) and CIGDC (China International Game Developers Conference) into "global reception halls" that connect global wisdom.
In addition, on the basis of Shanghai having already become the world’s first city to gather all three top-tier esports competitions, the esports competition system will continue to be enhanced. On one hand, global premier events such as the DOTA2 International Invitational (TI) will continue to be introduced, with up to 3 million yuan in funding support for each individual event; on the other hand, the cultivation of local proprietary brand events such as the 'Shanghai Esports Masters' will be prioritized.
As the first city in China to pilot localized management of domestic online games, Shanghai has maintained the national lead in the number of approved online game licenses in recent years. In 2025, Shanghai’s online game industry achieved sales revenue of 170.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.57%; overseas market sales revenue reached 30.3 billion yuan, an increase of 13.7% year-on-year. In the '2025 Global Famous Esports Cities Industry Development Index and Ranking Report', Shanghai ranked second globally.
The measures state that, within the three core districts of Xuhui, Yangpu, and Jing’an—which have already formed a clustering effect—industrial parks and incubators that meet the requirements may receive funding support of up to 5 million yuan (RMB, approximately 3.25 million ringgit) per year, and the three districts will be encouraged to formulate complementary support policies. In terms of financial support, a Shanghai Game Industry Investment Fund will be established, with an initial fundraising target of 500 million yuan, focusing on supporting innovation and entrepreneurship by small and micro teams. In terms of talent attraction and cultivation, universities are encouraged to set up game-related majors, and more than 1,000 internship positions for university students will be provided annually.
There will be encouragement for the creation of more "Shanghai-produced" works that integrate outstanding Chinese traditional culture and Shanghai urban elements, and the application of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence in game development will be supported. Shanghai is the first in the country to propose the creation of a "game going global service platform," providing a full-chain, one-stop service for enterprises. Support will be given to making major brand events such as ChinaJoy (China International Digital Entertainment Expo) and CIGDC (China International Game Developers Conference) into "global reception halls" that connect global wisdom.
In addition, on the basis of Shanghai having already become the world’s first city to gather all three top-tier esports competitions, the esports competition system will continue to be enhanced. On one hand, global premier events such as the DOTA2 International Invitational (TI) will continue to be introduced, with up to 3 million yuan in funding support for each individual event; on the other hand, the cultivation of local proprietary brand events such as the 'Shanghai Esports Masters' will be prioritized.
As the first city in China to pilot localized management of domestic online games, Shanghai has maintained the national lead in the number of approved online game licenses in recent years. In 2025, Shanghai’s online game industry achieved sales revenue of 170.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.57%; overseas market sales revenue reached 30.3 billion yuan, an increase of 13.7% year-on-year. In the '2025 Global Famous Esports Cities Industry Development Index and Ranking Report', Shanghai ranked second globally.