The following is a press release provided to InvenGlobal and has been published verbatim.

Riot Games announced a multi-year partnership with OPPO to be the exclusive official global smartphone partner for League of Legends esports international events. The World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational, and All-Star Event. The multi-year partnership, which covers The World Championship, the Mid Season-Invitational, and the All-Star Event, will last  through 2024 and begin at Worlds 2019, which is scheduled to start Oct. 2 in Berlin and conclude on Nov. 10 in Paris.

This ground-breaking partnership marks OPPO’s first entry into esports, further diversifying the innovative tech giant’s expanding sports and entertainment sponsorship portfolio. Through this partnership, League of Legends will look to further enhance fans’ live event and viewing experiences around its marquee global sporting events, while OPPO’s long-term commitment to the industry allows them to engage with the growing passionate player base of the world's top esport.

“Esports is a fast-growing sport globally, and League of Legends has become a lifestyle of many young people in recent years,” said Brian Shen, OPPO Vice President and President of Global Marketing.
“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.”

League of Legends joins OPPO’s roster of premier sport partners which includes Wimbledon, FC Barcelona, and the International Cricket Council, among others.

This partnership puts OPPO at the center of the burgeoning global esports market, as they join League of Legends Esports best-in-class partners like Mastercard, State Farm, Alienware, Secretlab, and Louis Vuitton.

As the exclusive global smartphone partner for League of Legends esports, OPPO will have year-round activations centered around the sport’s three annual global tournaments: the Mid-Season Invitational, the All-Star Event, and the World Championship.OPPO also will activate a series of consumer promotions that give players a chance to win a trip with behind-the-scenes access to the World Championship, All-Star Event, or Mid-Season Invitational. 

“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 Naz Aletaha, Head of Global Esports Business Development and Partnerships for Riot Games. “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. ”